CHANDIGARH: After many failed attempts, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) Sector 53 self-financing housing scheme faces another stumbling block – an increase in the proposed flat prices following a revision in the collector rates, which will become effective from April 1.
In the recently concluded demand survey for the scheme, nearly 7,500 applicants expressed their interest. In a previous survey (2018-19), the scheme received only 178 applications. However, with the collector rate set for a major revision from next month, CHB officials say, the prices of the apartments are set to increase by 32% to 38%, depending on the category of the flat.
According to a senior CHB official, who didn’t want to be named, “The 3-BHK flat, which is currently priced at Rs 1.65 crore, is likely to be priced at Rs 2.29 crore if the proposed collector rates are made effective. Similarly, the 2-BHK prices are set to increase from Rs 1.40 crore to Rs 1.97 crore. For the EWS flat, the price is likely to rise from Rs 55 lakh to Rs 73 lakh,” said the official.
As the new increased collector rates are to become effective from April 1, CHB officials say if the Sector 53 housing is launched within this month (March), then only the proposed rates in the demand survey will remain effective. If the scheme is launched after April 1, then the prices of flats will have to be revised.
“The prices of the scheme are to be based on the collector rates, and if the collector rates are revised, then the prices will also have to be revised. In the changed circumstances, the latest demand survey will be irrelevant as the applicants didn’t apply for the new rates after April 1,” said the official.
CHB initiated the demand survey for the self-financing housing scheme in Sector 53 on February 22, and March 3 was the closing date for the submission of applications. The scheme has three categories of flats, including sub-scheme A – HIG (192 units); sub-scheme B – MIG (100 units); and sub-scheme C – EWS (80 units). The demand survey was conducted for the allotment of flats without any commitment.
The launch of the Sector 53 housing scheme was marred by delays for several years since it was first planned in 2018. This is the third time the self-financing housing scheme, planned on a 9-acre plot in Sector 53, is being considered by the board. Last year, just when the CHB was planning to launch the project, it was junked by the then UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit. Earlier this year, the administration reviewed its decision and directed the CHB to give a presentation to the chief secretary on the project.
The scheme could not be launched in 2018 after a demand survey revealed that there were not many takers for the scheme because of the high cost of dwelling units. For 492 flats that were planned to be constructed under the scheme, only 178 applications were received in the demand survey. A one-bedroom set was priced at a whopping Rs 86 lakh, 2BHK for Rs 1.28 crore, and 3BHK priced at Rs 1.5 crore.
In March 2020, the board scrapped the scheme in Sector 53. However, the officers were asked to consider framing a new scheme with a lesser cost. In 2022, for the revival of the scheme, CHB dropped the plan to construct 100 one-room flats. Under the revived scheme, CHB then in 2023 planned to offer 372 flats in three categories — 192 three-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom, and 80 two-bedroom EWS flats. CHB reserves the right to abandon the scheme for the said project without assigning any reasons whatsoever.
