Recommendations by an expert committee regarding the increase of building heights, Floor Area Ratio (FAR), and ground coverage in Chandigarh have sparked a fresh debate about the city’s future.
On one hand, development is deemed necessary to cater to the growing population and the demand for amenities; on the other, urban planners and citizens view these proposals as a threat to Chandigarh’s original planning concept and heritage.
The expert committee, constituted by the UT Administration’s Department of Industries under ‘Deregulation 2.0’, has recommended increasing ground coverage, FAR, and building heights for government housing, hospitals, educational institutions, group housing, and IT habitats. The committee argues that vertical growth is the only practical option to meet the rising residential and institutional needs in Chandigarh, given its limited land availability.
However, urban development experts argue that Chandigarh cannot be compared to other cities in Punjab and Haryana. Chandigarh was developed based on principles of balanced growth, open spaces, low-rise buildings, and a well-organized sectoral layout—elements that form the foundation of its identity and global reputation. Experts believe that higher FAR and taller buildings imply not just more construction, but also added pressure on the population, traffic, parking demand, water consumption, sewerage, and the power grid. The critical question, therefore, is whether the city’s existing infrastructure is equipped to handle this additional load.
The committee has also recommended safeguards such as infrastructure assessment, legal scrutiny, and fee collection before granting additional FAR. Experts emphasize, however, that these processes must not become mere formalities; instead, decisions should be based on independent and scientific assessments.
The article further suggests that revenue generated from additional FAR should be strictly utilized to strengthen roads, water supply, sewerage, parking, and other civic amenities. Otherwise, the pressure on the city will mount without a corresponding increase in its capacity to manage it. This issue is also considered significant from an environmental perspective. In particular, demands have been raised to prioritize environmental conservation regarding the proposed development around the IT Habitat and the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.
Experts have emphasized that Chandigarh’s architectural and planning heritage is of national and international importance. Therefore, before any major changes are implemented, comprehensive public hearings and the participation of residents, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), urban planners, architects, and environmental experts must be ensured.
They argue that this is not merely a matter of altering building bylaws, but a question concerning Chandigarh’s fundamental identity and future. Development is essential, but it must be the kind of development that progresses while preserving the city’s soul and heritage.
