The Chandigarh administration has unveiled a series of significant amendments to the city's Master Plan, aiming to optimize the utilization of limited land resources amidst a rapidly growing population. The proposed changes emphasize higher-density development, taller buildings, and greater flexibility in building design, marking a departure from the existing regulations that currently prohibit any increase in Floor Area Ratio (FAR), ground coverage, or building height for commercial and institutional projects to prevent infrastructure strain.
The revised plan has been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for approval. This initiative aligns with the central government's broader push to enhance the ease of doing business in India, as the administration also seeks to update the Master Plan 2031.
Key Proposals in the Revised Plan
Institutional Development
Construction of institutional pockets in Sarangpur, Dhanas, and areas near Manimajra has been proposed with an increase in ground coverage from 20% to 40%. A fivefold increase in FAR from 0.5 to 2.5 is also proposed, along with a change in the height restriction from 36 feet to 30 meters (approximately 98 feet). Additionally, relaxation in parking restrictions has been suggested, including the construction of 4 Equivalent Car Spaces (ECS) per 100 square meters of covered area for high-density institutional developments.
Stilt Parking Rules
The administration has introduced differentiated stilt parking rules. In Phase-II cooperative housing schemes, no height restriction will be applied to stilt parking lots, whereas in Phase-III, specific rules will be enforced.
Community and Green Spaces
Community places have gained prominence in the suggested changes, with a mandatory allocation of 2.5% of the total FAR for their construction. Furthermore, 15% of the site area must be reserved for organized green spaces.
Residential Development on Housing Board Land
An earlier plan to build 700 flats on Chandigarh Housing Board land was rejected in 2022 due to the site's location along a migratory bird route. The administration has now revised the proposal, opting for approximately 400 residential plots instead of apartment blocks. This shift from flats to plotted development serves as a workaround to address wildlife concerns while still utilizing the land.
Commercial Flexibility
Introducing flexibility for the construction of commercial establishments such as hotels, malls, and multiplexes, the plan proposes the removal of restricted development parameters. Instead, these will be governed through building rules updated periodically.
Manimajra Residential Development
For Manimajra, the administration proposes allowing more construction on residential land under the municipal corporation. Buildings of up to five floors will be permitted, with parking on the ground level. The plan covers a stretch of 7.7 acres and revisits long-standing disagreements over construction density and layout in the area.
Educity Project at Sarangpur
The FAR of the Educity Project at Sarangpur is proposed to increase from 1.5 to 2.5, with building heights raised to 30 meters.
Religious and Cultural Buildings
Religious and cultural buildings will be treated differently depending on their location. In the older, heritage parts of Chandigarh, strict rules will remain to protect the area's original character. However, in newer outer sectors, these buildings will be allowed to go taller and use more of their plot for construction.
Addressing Population Pressure
Originally designed for 5 lakh people, Chandigarh now houses over 12 lakh residents, more than double its intended capacity. This has created a serious crunch: land is scarce and rents are under pressure. Updating the master plan is seen as a way to align the city's regulations with ground reality.
