The CHB has issued notices to 10 violators who raised fresh constructions in their dwelling units or on government land in sectors 44 and 45 and Manimajra and other areas, an exercise that was at halt during the coronavirus lockdown.
The enforcement wing of the CHB has demolished over 100 illegal constructions in the city till date.
According to the procedure, in case the allottee does not stop the illegal constructions, they will be demolished the very next day. However, if the they are stopped, the allottee will be given three days to remove the violations. CHB officials will conduct a fresh inspection and in case of non-removal of the violations, a demolition drive, at the risk and cost of the allottee, will be scheduled.
A senior CHB official said that though necessary precautions are taken during the demolition, there is still a possibility that adjoining structures may get damaged and the allottee will be responsible for such extra damage to their own or adjoining units.
The committee dealing with need-based changes found that about 90% of the CHB dwelling units had some or the other structural violation. The changes include additional rooms and toilets, conversion of balconies into rooms and of courtyard, and building stairs on government land.
For availing benefit of regularisation scheme for need-based changes in CHB flats, the UT administration has made submission of certificate of structural stability from a qualified empanelled structural engineer registered with it mandatory. The administration order said, “Allottee/occupant is required to submit a certificate of structural stability from a qualified empanelled structural engineer registered with the Chandigarh administration in the interest of safety of the occupants and in the interest of public safety. During this period, the allottee/occupant himself/herself will be responsible for any loss/injury/ public safety because of such violations”.
The order further stated, “The allottee/occupant is required to remove all violations on his/her risk and cost, at the earliest, within the period being permitted with the penalty. In case of non-removal of the violations, the allotment may be cancelled and possession of the dwelling unit may be resumed.”
