Review panel okay with Chandigarh Housing Board policy on need-based changes
Recommends keeping independent houses, rooftop solar installations out of purview
A committee constituted by the UT Administration to review the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) policy on need-based changes has recommended implementation of the policy with two modifications — keep independent houses and rooftop power plant installations out of its purview.
The 11-member committee was formed last month to review the policy notified on January 3, 2023. The policy was put in abeyance after the Supreme Court order dated January 10, 2023, which directed that the Chandigarh Administration shall freeze the floor area ratio (FAR) and shall not increase it any further.
The committee will submit its report to the CHB chairman for approval in a few days with the recommendation that the policy be implemented with certain exclusions.
One of the suggestions pertains to a clause related to independent houses. The committee observed that the CHB cannot uniformly apply the provisions of the Chandigarh Building Rules (Urban), 2017, to independent houses, as is currently being followed by the Chandigarh Administration. A majority of independent houses are located in Sectors 46, 43, 38 (West) and Manimajra.
Secondly, the committee flagged the provision on installation of rooftop solar power plants. While the 2023 notification allowed installation of solar panels on terraces subject to consent from block allottees and structural stability certification, the committee noted that not all CHB buildings are structurally suited for such installations.
The committee has finalised the recommendations after getting feedback from stakeholders, residents and experts.
It may be mentioned that CHB house owners have been opposing the January 2023 notification, claiming it reversed previous relaxations and categorised need-based changes as violations. The board has revised its policy on need-based changes five times since 2010.The CHB allottees have demanded the withdrawal of the policy and inclusion of a provision of a comprehensive alternative.
The policy prohibits construction in front of middle-income group (MIG) duplex flats and extra room on the first floor in other duplex units. Nearly 55,000 of the 62,000 CHB dwelling units have violations, including additional rooms, converted balconies, covered courtyards, etc.
The first need-based policy was notified on March 23, 2010, and later on July 7, 2015, February 18, 2016, February 15, 2019, and January 3, 2023.
In the policies notified in 2010, 2015 and 2016, the board had allowed the construction of a projection/balcony in front of MIG duplex flats with pillars below. However, it was rejected in the policies of 2019 and 2023 and termed as violation.
Similarly, the CHB had allowed the construction of an extra room on the first floor in duplex flats over the roof of the proposed ground floor room in the policies of 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2019, but it was forbidden for residents of Sector 41-A in the new policy.
On the development, Prof Nirmal Datt, chairman of CHB Residents Welfare Federation, appealed to the authorities not to implement the 2023 notification. “That notification offered no concession to residents. The earlier committee had proposed that if more than half the residents in any category had carried out a non-permitted change, it should be regularised by relaxing the bylaws. However, that crucial recommendation was omitted before the 2023 notification was issued, defeating the entire exercise meant to provide genuine relief,” he said, while seeking an opportunity to present residents’ views before a final decision is taken.
