As the lockdown period is over, the Chandigarh administration now plans to conduct a fresh survey of building violations in Industrial Area phases I and II. It will be carried out by the UT estate office.
Sources said, “The exercise was to be started in March, but could not due to the lockdown. Now the administration wants to conduct a fresh survey. Its report will be attached with that on the study of policies of neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana in connection with converting leasehold properties into freehold in Industrial Area, phase I and II.”
The Chandigarh administration has already sought permission from the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) for converting leasehold plots into freehold. The UT will attach both these reports along with their proposal. After getting MHA’s approval, the UT will notify the conversion rates, sources added.
The administration had last converted leasehold plots into freehold in 1983 in commercial category.
It is a long-pending demand of the city industrialists, who had been seeking conversion of leasehold property into freehold and leasehold to leasehold in Industrial Area. Recently, the UT administration had conducted a survey in Industrial Area for checking leasehold plots.
The administration had set up phases I and II of Industrial Area during the 1970s on an area measuring 147 acres. The plots are governed by zoning and architectural control, which were prepared as per the conditions prevailing at that time. There are 1,884 plots in both phases, of which 700 are 1 kanal and above, while there are 443 and 180 plots measuring 10 and 15 marla, respectively. There are as many as 381 plots of 5 marla.
Recently, the UT administration had allowed certain need-based changes in the architectural controls in accordance with modern day industrial requirements. The UT had even allowed that cycle stand could be used for other purposes such as storage of raw material and other industrial-related functions. In addition to these changes, the UT had also stated that in the wake of theft incidents in industrial areas and requirements of industry, partial covering of central courtyard with poly carbonate sheets for storage only was also allowed, subject to compliance of building bylaws and fire NOC from competent authority of municipal corporation of Chandigarh.
