- By Nidhi Giri
- Thu, 20 Mar 2025 02:05 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Chandigarh Sector 53 Housing Scheme Update: Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) Sector 53 flats are likely to face delays even after it received a promising response. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ajay Chagti has now written to the engineering department to reduce the number of flats under the economically weaker section (EWS) category.
During the 10-day demand survey, which began on February 22 and concluded on March 3, a total of 7,468 applications were received against 372 flats across three categories. For three-bedroom HIG units, 5,081 applications were submitted for 192 flats, while two-bedroom MIG units received 1,269 applications for 100 flats. The EWS category saw 1,118 applications for 80 flats.
As per a Hindustan Times report, the launch of the housing scheme would be delayed by seven to eight months. “If we reduce the number of EWS flats, we will have to revise the entire layout plan. Also, we need to obtain approvals from RERA and the Pollution Control Board,” a senior officer of the CHB said, as per the report.
The survey was conducted to assess whether there was sufficient interest to proceed with the scheme.
This is 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. This time around, the 7,468 applicants have deposited a fee of Rs 10,000 for HIG and MIG units, and Rs 5,000 for EWS units confirming their interest, which will be adjusted in the earnest money deposit (EMD) when the scheme is launched. In case the applicant decides not to participate further after the scheme’s launch, the whole amount will be forfeited.
The demand survey was conducted on the directions of UT chief secretary Rajeev Verma, who is also the chairman of the CHB, after board officers gave a presentation for the scheme’s revival on January 17.