Don't sell Chandigarh Housing Board land to private builders, build affordable 1-2 BHK flats : Devshali

Don't sell Chandigarh Housing Board land to private builders, build affordable 1-2 BHK flats : Devshali

Providing affordable housing to the middle and lower income groups should be the Housing Board's priority : Devshali

Chandigarh 19 February ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Shakti Prakash Devshali, non-official member of the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) and former Municipal Councilor, has written to Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, expressing deep concern over reports of allotment of CHB land to private builders at market rates. He stated that if valuable Chandigarh Housing Board land is handed over to private developers, it will fundamentally undermine the Board's core objective—providing subsidized affordable housing to the middle and lower income groups, who are the backbone of Chandigarh.

Devshali urged the Chandigarh Housing Board to construct multi-story 1 BHK and 2 BHK flats on its own land instead of three- and four-room flats, and to keep prices low by increasing the number of units through more floors. He stated that private builders will only pursue commercial profits, so instead of providing land to them, the Chandigarh Housing Board should ensure inclusive development through modern design and efficient land use. The Chandigarh Housing Board should adopt a welfare housing policy, in keeping with the spirit of national schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Devshali clarified in the letter that the CHB was established to provide state-sponsored subsidized housing, not for profit-driven luxury projects. He demanded an immediate review, a meeting with stakeholders, and positive intervention by the Administrator. "This step will not only honor the legacy of the CHB, but also protect the interests of Chandigarh residents," he said.