Former Special CS Punjab writes to Chandigarh CS, opposes Master Plan Amendments
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 28, 2026: Former Punjab Special Chief Secretary K.B.S. Sidhu, a retired 1984-batch IAS officer, has submitted a detailed representation to the Chandigarh Administration objecting to the proposed amendments to the Chandigarh Master Plan (CMP) 2031, urging the authorities to suspend the draft changes until mandatory studies and consultations are completed.
The representation has been addressed to Chief Secretary H. Rajesh Prasad with copies marked to Finance Secretary Diprava Lakra and the Chief Architect, Department of Urban Planning.
In his submission, Sidhu, who has also served as Chief Architect of PUDA and Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Punjab, argued that the proposed amendments would significantly alter Chandigarh’s planning framework by increasing the permissible Floor Area Ratio (FAR), raising building height limits to 30 metres, expanding ground coverage to 40 per cent and widening mixed land-use corridors without completing mandatory impact assessments.
He contended that such sweeping changes require comprehensive infrastructure, environmental, traffic, heritage and seismic impact studies before implementation.
According to Sidhu, these assessments have not been publicly disclosed despite being envisaged under the planning framework.
The former bureaucrat also cited a Punjab and Haryana High Court judgment dated May 29, 2026, stating that amendments to the Master Plan must follow the same statutory procedure adopted during its preparation, including public consultation and a Board of Inquiry and Hearing.
Among his other objections, Sidhu questioned the absence of updated fire safety measures for taller buildings, aviation safety clearances for areas falling within the Chandigarh Air Base flight path, and a mechanism to charge developers for additional FAR. He argued that granting higher development rights without levying a premium would result in a significant transfer of public value to private property owners without generating resources for upgrading civic infrastructure.
The representation also raises concerns regarding redevelopment of cooperative housing societies, restrictions on floor-wise sale of properties in older sectors, the impact of the proposed amendments on surrounding villages, and the lack of consultation with neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana despite the regional implications of the changes.
Sidhu has urged the Chandigarh Administration to place the draft amendments on hold, reconstitute the expert committee with independent urban planners, environmental experts, heritage conservationists and resident representatives, introduce a premium FAR framework, issue redevelopment guidelines for cooperative societies, review existing property restrictions in older sectors and undertake consultations with Punjab and Haryana before finalising the amendments.
He has also sought an inter-ministerial review involving the Ministries of Home Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Civil Aviation before any final decision is taken on the proposed amendments.