Chandigarh: A roadmap for the city’s next phase of development and governance could take shape on Thursday, when Union home minister Amit Shah chairs a high-level meeting in Delhi to take a call on a clutch of long-pending Chandigarh proposals.From a major overhaul of the master plan and permanent ownership rights for rehabilitation-colony residents to freeing commercial and industrial properties from the leasehold regime and extending the mayor’s tenure, the decisions could have a bearing on both how Chandigarh grows and how it is governed.The meeting assumes added significance as it comes just a couple of months before the municipal corporation election process is expected to begin in the city. With the present House nearing the end of its term, any decision on extending the mayor’s tenure could have a direct bearing on the functioning and political transition of the civic body.UT chief secretary H Rajesh Prasad, home secretary Mandip Brar, finance secretary Diprava Lakra and deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav are expected to attend the meeting and make presentations on the proposals.The administration had earlier forwarded proposals to the ministry of home affairs (MHA) seeking permanent ownership rights for rehab-colony allottees, conversion of leasehold commercial and industrial properties into freehold and extension of the mayoral tenure from one year to two-and-a-half years.The administration has also notified draft amendments to the Chandigarh Master Plan-2031 and constituted a screening committee to examine public objections and suggestions.“All these issues will be presented before the home minister. Go-ahead may be given on the issues or additional changes in the proposals may be suggested during the meeting,” said sources.Freehold conversion: Unlocking propertiesThe proposal to permit conversion of leasehold commercial and industrial properties into freehold is aimed at unlocking properties worth hundreds of crores, boosting revenue and improving ease of doing business.The administration approved the proposal in May and sent it to the MHA for final approval.While leasehold residential properties have long been eligible for conversion into freehold on payment of charges, commercial and industrial properties have remained outside the ambit. A number of properties under the Chandigarh Housing Board, Municipal Corporation and UT Estate Office have struggled to attract buyers.Longer mayoral termThe Administration has proposed extending the mayor’s tenure from one year to two-and-a-half years to provide greater continuity for executing development projects.Currently, the Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor serve for 12 months. The proposal assumes particular political significance with the civic elections approaching and could influence the functioning of the next Municipal Corporation House.Ownership rights in rehabilitation coloniesThe proposal for permanent ownership rights affects nearly 35,000 dwelling units in Chandigarh’s rehabilitation colonies.These houses were originally allotted to economically weaker sections on monthly licence-fee or leasehold terms, without provisions for unrestricted transfer of ownership. Subsequent unauthorised transfers and changes in possession have complicated the issue.Master Plan: the biggest shiftThe proposed Master Plan amendments could have the widest impact on Chandigarh’s physical development. They seek higher FAR, taller buildings and greater flexibility in land use in selected peripheral, Phase-III, industrial and institutional areas, while retaining restrictions in heritage-sensitive Phase-I.Sources said the Administration would proceed further depending on the outcome of Thursday’s meeting. “If there is in-principle approval, the proposed amendments will be submitted to the Heritage Conservation Committee and the further laid-down process for amendments will be followed,” said sources.MASTER PLAN: KEY PROPOSED CHANGESHigher FAR: Up to 3.0 in identified peripheral and Phase-III zones.Taller buildings: Up to 30 metres in selected outer sectors, Phase-III and industrial areas.Industrial plots: Fragmentation of larger plots in Industrial Area Phases I and II.Institutional relaxations: Higher FAR and height limits for schools, colleges and cultural sites outside Phase-I.Peripheral development: High-rise and mixed land-use development in identified pockets to meet housing demand.
