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Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: CHB members to take call on Sector 53 housing scheme
In a fresh bid to revive its long-delayed General Housing Scheme in Sector 53, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has circulated an agenda among its board members, outlining revised flat prices based on the latest collector rates. Last week, CHB secured the renewal from the environment department by paying a fee of ₹ 5 lakh. (HT File) The CHB has asked all members to respond within three days, indicating whether or not they wish to proceed with the scheme under the updated pricing. The move marks a crucial step towards launching the long-pending housing project — CHB's only major residential offering since 2016. The Sector 53 scheme has faced repeated delays due to administrative indecision, fluctuating costs, and lack of consensus among board members. With environmental clearance already in place, the decision on pricing is now seen as the final hurdle before the scheme can be formally launched. Last week, CHB secured the renewal from the environment department by paying a fee of ₹ 5 lakh. A year earlier, the board had obtained a similar clearance for the same project after paying ₹ 7 lakh. Notably, each clearance is valid for only one year, which adds to the urgency of taking a decision on the scheme's future. A senior CHB official confirmed the latest development, stating, 'Agenda has been issued to all members of the board and they have been asked to furnish their view in a set format whether to go ahead with the scheme or not. In case majority of members are in favour, we will launch the scheme soon, official said. After conducting a much-publicised demand survey, which received an enthusiastic response, the board has even started to refund the nearly ₹ 7.5 crore collected from the hopeful applicants. The demand survey, which ended on March 3, saw 7,468 applicants vying for 372 flats across three categories — nearly 20 applicants per unit — reflecting a strong demand. To confirm their interest, the applicants had deposited ₹ 10,000 for High-Income Group (HIG) and Middle-Income Group (MIG) flats, and ₹ 5,000 for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) flats. However, a sharp hike in the city's collector rates, which took effect from April 1, pushed the flat prices up by 35% to 40%, throwing the project into uncertainty. When the demand survey was conducted, just weeks before the new collector rates were implemented, the estimated cost of the three-bedroom, two-bedroom and two-bedroom EWS flats was ₹ 1.65 crore, ₹ 1.40 crore and ₹ 55 lakh, respectively. But under the new collector rates, the prices have risen to a staggering ₹ 2.30 crore for a three-bedroom flat, ₹ 1.97 crore for a two-bedroom flat and ₹ 74 lakh for an EWS flat, leaving officials pondering whether the interested applicants will still be willing to proceed at the higher prices. Scrapped, revived, on hold again The whopping 7,468 applications are in stark contrast to only 178 applications for 492 flats when the scheme was first floated in 2018. The low response, primarily due to steep prices, had ultimately led to the scheme getting dropped. Back then, the three-bedroom flat was offered for as high as ₹ 1.8 crore, two-bedroom flat for ₹ 1.5 crore and one-bedroom flat for ₹ 95 lakh. Struggling to justify its existence, the board revived the scheme in February 2023 with lower prices. However, former UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit put the scheme on hold on August 3, 2023, citing there was no requirement for it. But Purohit's successor Gulab Chand Kataria, in November 2024, revived the scheme, prompting a fresh demand survey. Established in 1976, with the primary objective of providing reasonably priced and good quality housing in Chandigarh, CHB had last successfully rolled out a housing scheme in 2016, when it had offered 200 two-bedroom flats in Sector 51 for ₹ 69 lakh each.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Collector rate hike casts shadow over CHB's Sec-53 project
The Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) is facing uncertainty over the launch of its long-awaited General Housing Scheme in Sector-53, despite receiving a renewed environmental clearance. A sharp hike in the city's collector rates, which came into effect in April 2025, has pushed property prices up by 35% to 40%, raising concerns about whether the applicants, who had previously shown strong interest, will still be able to afford the project. CHB's decision-making process has been marred by delays, marking the second environmental clearance renewal in just two years. The board recently secured clearance from the environment department after paying a ₹5 lakh fee, following a similar payment of ₹7 lakh in 2024. However, each clearance is valid for just one year, adding pressure on the board to make a final decision. A senior CHB official confirmed that the issue will be taken up at the upcoming board meeting, though the date remains undecided. Rising prices threaten viability In an attempt to gauge public interest, CHB conducted a demand survey between February and March 2025, which saw an overwhelming response from prospective buyers. The survey attracted 7,468 applicants vying for 372 flats in three categories: high-income group (HIG), middle-income group (MIG) and economically weaker section (EWS). The applicants had to deposit ₹10,000 for HIG and MIG flats and ₹5,000 for EWS flats, signalling intent. Despite the strong demand reflected by the survey — nearly 20 applicants for each available unit — the sharp increase in property prices due to the new collector rates has put the future of the project in doubt. The board has even started to refund the collected amount, nearly ₹7.5 crore, from the hopeful applicants due to the uncertainty of the project. Originally, the price for a three-bedroom flat was estimated at ₹1.65 crore, a two-bedroom flat at ₹1.40 crore, and a two-bedroom EWS flat at ₹55 lakh. Under the new collector rates, these prices have skyrocketed to ₹2.29 crore, ₹1.97 crore, and ₹73 lakh, respectively, making the scheme less affordable for many potential buyers. CHB's long struggle to provide affordable housing The steep hike in prices mirrors past challenges faced by CHB in launching affordable housing schemes. In 2018, when the scheme was first proposed, only 178 applications were received for 492 flats, far below expectations. Back then, the high prices — ₹1.8 crore for a three-bedroom flat, ₹1.5 crore for a two-bedroom flat and ₹95 lakh for a one-bedroom flat — resulted in a tepid response, leading to the project being scrapped. Founded in 1976, CHB was established with the primary objective of providing reasonably priced and good quality housing in Chandigarh. Its last successful housing scheme was rolled out in 2016, when 200 two-bedroom flats in Sector-51 were offered for ₹69 lakh each — a far cry from the current prices.
Scoop
10-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
BSA Upholds Complaint Against Central FM Re. Incorrect Labelling Of DoC Conservation Land As 'Stewardship Land'
The Broadcasting Standards Authority has upheld a complaint against Central FM regarding an interview with Mike Petersen, spokesperson for Ruataniwha v.2, where 22 ha. of DoC conservation land was inaccurately labelled as 'stewardship land'. The damning Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) decision, released today, found that Mike Petersen, lead proponent for Ruataniwha dam v.2, inaccurately labelled the 22 ha. DoC-owned land needed to build Ruataniwha v.2 as 'stewardship land', when in fact it comprises 93% conservation land. Wise Water Use Hawkes Bay spokesperson, Dr Trevor Le Lievre, says the finding raises a credibility issue for Mr Petersen, and is questioning his capacity to manage the build of the estimated-$500 million Ruataniwha dam v.2. The BSA found that Petersen '…made two definitive statements that it was not conservation land' on Central FM Radio, Waipukurau, in an interview held on 8 October last year with station part-owner and fellow dam-proponent, Steve Wyn Harris: [1] The BSA found: 'The Authority agreed the description of the 22 hectares of Department of Conservation land needed for the dam project as 'only stewardship land', when approximately 93% of it has 'conservation park status', was a material inaccuracy which the broadcaster had not made reasonable efforts to avoid.'[summary]; and 'The broadcast created a misleading impression about the 22 hectares of DOC land needed for the project as being 'stewardship' land and having inferior conservation values'. [para. 25] 'Mr Petersen is asking the community to trust him to build a $500 million dam, yet can't even correctly identify the status of the DoC land needed to build the dam. This begs the serious question as to what else Mr Petersen has got wrong?' said Le Lievre, adding: 'alarm bills should be ringing loudly for potential investors. 'Mike Petersen is selling the public a story about Ruataniwha v.2: a story about economic prosperity to be shared by all, about a solution to our depleted aquifer and rivers, and about restoring our water quality, and dealing with the vagaries of climate change: has anyone fact checked the story?' Wise Water Use is now questioning other statements made by Petersen: 'A number of statements have been made by Mr Petersen as part of the Ruataniwha v.2 story. We believe that in light of this recent ruling Mr Petersen now needs to provide evidence to back those statements,' said Le Lievre, who cited several unsubstantiated claims: 'This is a commercial project …we are not seeking public investment into this project at all' [2] Mike Petersen recently petitioned local lines company, Centralines, for money to develop another feasibility case for the dam, and received a commitment of $100,000. Wise Water Use argues this money is coming out of the pockets of CHB power consumers; The dam promoters are also wanting the public to pick up the cost of so-called 'environmental flows' which would allocate 20 Mm3 water annually for release down the main Tukituki River stem.[3] Wise Water Use calculates that should this cost fall to Regional Council ratepayers it would entail an average 10% rates increase and is running a petition asking the Regional Council to state publicly they won't assume the cost. 'There is a hydro generation component in the project as well, which appeals to those seeking green investment.' [4] Wise Water Use points out that there have never been any detailed plan for hydro generation presented in any public reports on the dam, nor other public forum, and that such a proposal doesn't stack up financially, and argues this is an attempt to greenwash the project by Mr Petersen. 'The proposal is completely different in focus and intent from the original Ruataniwha project, despite sharing the original project's site on the Makaroro river.' [5] Wise Water Use says that the renamed 'Tukituki Water Security Project' is no different to the Ruataniwha dam v.1: it would use exactly the same engineering design, rely on the same consents to take water, be located on the same part of the Makaroro River, still need the 22 ha. of DoC conservation land, and would remain an industrial-scale irrigation dam. 'Mike Petersen is fronting a $500 million dam project, which with associated on-farm infrastructure costs would cost more than $1 billion dollars. His inability to get the status of the DoC conservation land correct brings into question every other unsupported statement he has made in support of Ruataniwha v.2, and undermines the very viability of the project,' finished Le Lievre. [1] Petersen: 'This is not conservation land, this is DoC stewardship land'; and 'This is not part of the DoC conservation estate, it's owned by DoC but is classified as stewardship land'. Source: Central FM interview (8/10/2024) [2] Source: Central FM interview (8/10/2024) [3] Petersen was recently quoted as stating: 'I would argue that it's unreasonable to expect private investors to supply that (environmental flows) free of charge'. Source: Newsroom (15/5/2025). [4] Source: Farmers Weekly (8/10/2024)
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
CHB back-pedals on Sector-53 housing scheme, to refund ₹7.5-crore application fee
The Chandigarh Housing Board still cannot seem to make up its mind about the long-delayed General Housing Scheme in Sector 53 — its only offering since 2016. After conducting a much-publicised demand survey, which received an enthusiastic response, the board has now decided to refund the nearly ₹7.5 crore collected from the hopeful applicants. The demand survey, which ended on March 3, saw 7,468 applicants vying for 372 flats across three categories — nearly 20 applicants per unit — reflecting a strong demand. To confirm their interest, the applicants had deposited ₹10,000 for High-Income Group (HIG) and Middle-Income Group (MIG) flats, and ₹5,000 for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) flats. However, a sharp hike in the city's collector rates, which took effect from April 1, pushed the flat prices up by 35% to 40%, throwing the project into uncertainty. When the demand survey was conducted, just weeks before the new collector rates were implemented, the estimated cost of the three-bedroom, two-bedroom and two-bedroom EWS flats was ₹1.65 crore, ₹1.40 crore and ₹55 lakh, respectively. But under the new collector rates, the prices have risen to a staggering ₹2.29 crore for a three-bedroom flat, ₹1.97 crore for a two-bedroom flat and ₹73 lakh for an EWS flat, leaving officials pondering whether the interested applicants will still be willing to proceed at the higher prices. Subsequently, CHB CEO Ajay Chagti had said the matter will be placed before the Board of Directors to decide whether to go ahead with the scheme or conduct a fresh demand survey. But no meeting has been held since. Instead the board has simply decided to refund the application fee — leaving thousands of housing hopefuls in Chandigarh frustrated and disappointed. To make matters worse, there's no clarity on what comes next. A CHB official confirmed that UT chief secretary-cum-CHB chairman Rajeev Verma had approved the refunds. However, no decision has been taken on whether a fresh survey will be conducted or whether the scheme will proceed at all. Ironically, the demand survey itself was ordered by the UT chief secretary to establish demand for the project. But a call to conduct a fresh demand has never been taken even two months after the hiked collector rates were enforced. Scrapped, revived, on hold again The whopping 7,468 applications are in stark contrast to only 178 applications for 492 flats when the scheme was first floated in 2018. The low response, primarily due to steep prices, had ultimately led to the scheme getting dropped. Back then, the three-bedroom flat was offered for as high as ₹1.8 crore, two-bedroom flat for ₹1.5 crore and one-bedroom flat for ₹95 lakh. Struggling to justify its existence, the board revived the scheme in February 2023 with lower prices. However, former UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit put the scheme on hold on August 3, 2023, citing there was no requirement for it. But Purohit's successor Gulab Chand Kataria, in November 2024, revived the scheme, prompting a fresh demand survey. Established in 1976, with the primary objective of providing reasonably priced and good quality housing in Chandigarh, CHB had last successfully rolled out a housing scheme in 2016, when it had offered 200 two-bedroom flats in Sector 51 for ₹69 lakh each.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chandigarh housing board delays Sector 53 scheme
1 2 Chandigarh: There has been no new residential project in nearly a decade, and the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) is again faltering in launching the long-planned Sector 53 self-financing housing scheme. After conducting a successful demand survey for the scheme earlier this year, the CHB is now back to square one as it is set to refund the applicants of the survey their deposited money. In the survey for the scheme held in Feb-March this year, nearly 7,500 applicants expressed their interest in 372 flats. In a previous survey (2018-19), the scheme received only 178 applications. Applicants deposited Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 under the demand survey, depending on the category of flats. However, after a major hike in the collector rates, CHB increased the prices of the flats by 30-40%, depending on the category of the flat. According to a CHB official, "The 3-BHK flat, which is currently priced at Rs 1.65 crore, is likely to be priced at Rs 2.29 crore after the proposed collector rates are made effective. Similarly, the 2-BHK prices are set to increase from Rs 1.40 crore to Rs 1.97 crore. For the EWS flat, the price is likely to rise from Rs 55 lakh to Rs 73 lakh." CHB, the primary player in housing expansion, has struggled to deliver affordable housing. Most of its effort has been reduced to achieving the administration's aim to make the city 'slum free'. Other economically disadvantaged groups and the middle class have been largely ignored. CHB's last housing scheme for the public was launched in 2016 when it offered 200 flats. But the public response was poor because of affordability issues. By March 2019, it constructed a total of 67,565 houses. Of these, 33,867 are under the EWS category (mainly allotted under the slum rehabilitation schemes). For the LIG (low-income group), CHB created 9,075 dwelling units, MIG (middle-income group) 11,723, and HIG (high-income group) 5,933. CHB created most of the LIG, MIG, and HIG housing before 2000. After that, it mainly created housing for the rehabilitation colonies falling in the EWS category, which are not open to the public. The Sector 53 housing scheme has been marred with delays for several years now. WASTING TIME AND MONEY The Sector 53 housing scheme has once again shown the poor and dilatory decision-making process in the CHB, which has a monopoly in housing creation in the city. "Even after getting a good response in the latest demand survey, the CHB failed to launch the project before the hiked rate came into effect, creating unnecessary delay, which will now jeopardise the very future of the scheme. CHB should have taken a decision on the scheme launch within a month of the demand survey results, but senior officials didn't act even after two and a half months. Now, the applicant money will be refunded," said an official who didn't want to be named. The housing scheme was to be launched in 2018, but it was dropped after a poor demand survey. It was revived in 2023, but again the administration decided against launching it. CHB, making another flip-flop, decided to revive the scheme in 2024. "In the meantime, due to inflationary issues over the last seven years, the effective cost of the project has increased manifold. This will ultimately be passed on to the economically weaker sections and middle-class buyers," said the official. A CHB official said, "There were market and policy constraints that delayed the launch of the project. The project is still on." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
