Additional constructions in CHB units: Temporary exemption from demolition extended till Dec

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 12

The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has decided to extend the temporary exemption from immediate demolition of additional constructions in CHB dwelling units up to December 31, subject to payment of penalty charges on the additional area.

As per the order issued by Manoj Parida, UT Adviser-cum-CHB Chairman, additional construction in CHB dwelling units were earlier given temporary exemption from immediate demolition up to December 31, 2020, subject to payment of penalty charges and terms and conditions provided in the order issued on July 15, 2019.

The CHB had allowed the allottees to self-certify the area of additional construction to work out the applicable fee/penal charge. In case of any complaint, the CHB may check the self-declared area by the allottee and take further action in the matter.

However, the allottees, who do not deposit the penal charge on the basis of self-certified area, may be issued notices of demolition/cancellation thereafter.

The penal charges are imposed in view of the fact that demolition of additional construction at large scale may eventually be the only alternative. However, the allottees may get some time to rectify these violations in conformity with the need-based changes orders.

In 2019, the CHB allowed residents to regularise many of the unauthorised construction in their flats. The regularisation policy was announced in 2017, but only 40 applications were received. Later, a survey conducted by the CHB revealed that 90 per cent of its nearly 60,000 dwelling units had massive structural alterations.