Published on: Aug 24, 2025 06:34 am IST
The Chandigarh MC has identified a 6.9-acre land parcel in the Shivalik Enclave area of Manimajra, where five plots in Pocket Number 6 will be put up for auction with a cumulative reserve price of over ₹794 crore.
The cash-strapped Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) is all set to auction its prime land in Manimajra for residential projects as the UT administration has given it a go-ahead, but with a rider that 15% of flats will be reserved for the economically weaker sections (EWS).
The civic body has identified a 6.9-acre land parcel in the Shivalik Enclave area of Manimajra, where five plots in Pocket Number 6 will be put up for auction with a cumulative reserve price of over ₹794 crore. The project is expected to attract big real estate players, as the land can be allotted either to a single developer or a consortium, but with no scope for fragmentation or amalgamation of plots. All construction will need to conform to the zoning plan, and the dwelling units cannot be used for any non-residential purpose.
The auction, once finalised, is expected to bring a much-needed financial relief to the MC.
Unclear policy on EWS allotment
Even as the UT has mandated that 15% of the flats in the new project be reserved for the EWS category, there is no clear policy framework in place for implementation. The MC had written to the administration, seeking clarification on crucial aspects such as the income ceiling for identifying EWS beneficiaries, the procedure for inviting applications, and the process for shortlisting and allotting flats to eligible families.
In its response, the UT admitted that while it has, in the past, allotted houses and flats to EWS residents in different housing schemes, there is still no consolidated set of guidelines to govern the process. This has often led to ambiguity in defining eligibility, with multiple income thresholds being applied in different schemes.
“UT has now asked the MC to start the land auctioning procedure and instruct the successful bidder to reserve 15% of the flats for EWS people. A detailed policy on allotment will be framed by the UT before the completion of the project,” said municipal commissioner Amit Kumar.
