Chandigarh, Feb 13: A high-level committee appointed by the UT Administration has recommended moving forward with the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) policy on need-based changes, provided two significant modifications are made. The 11-member panel suggests that independent houses and rooftop solar power plant installations should be kept out of the policy’s current purview.
The committee was established last month to examine the policy notified in January 2023, which was stalled following a Supreme Court order freezing the floor area ratio in Chandigarh. After consulting with residents and experts, the panel concluded that the Chandigarh Building Rules cannot be applied uniformly to independent houses, which are primarily located in Sectors 46, 43, 38 (West), and Manimajra.
“The board cannot apply these provisions to independent houses in the same way the Chandigarh Administration currently does,” the committee noted in its findings.
The panel also raised concerns regarding the mandatory installation of solar panels on rooftops. While previous rules allowed these installations with neighbor consent, the committee observed that many existing CHB structures may not be structurally capable of supporting the added weight.
“Not all CHB buildings are structurally suited for such installations,” the panel mentioned during their review.
The final report is expected to be submitted to the CHB chairman for approval within the coming days. This move comes as nearly 55,000 out of 62,000 dwelling units face potential violations under current guidelines, including additional rooms and covered courtyards.
