Chandigarh, May 22 (PTI) Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has approved the issuance of draft amendments to the city's Master Plan-2031, which are aimed at making the Union territory more future-ready, citizen-friendly and development-oriented while preserving the city's planned and heritage character, officials said on Friday.
The proposed amendments focus on the promotion of high-rise government housing in Phases II and III, modern residential development for the general group housing in Phase III and peripheral areas to create more housing units and address the growing housing needs of the city, an official statement said.
The amendments also aim to ensure better parking management through stilt and basement parking provisions in residential and institutional areas, it said.
Planned development and optimum utilisation of vacant land in areas such as the Industrial Area Phase III, mixed land use belt, IT habitat, Phase III sectors and other peripheral areas have also been proposed.
Kataria, who is also the Punjab governor, approved the issuance of the draft amendments as part of the government of India's Deregulation 1.0 and 2.0 initiatives aimed at reducing compliance burden, minimising land loss and ensuring optimum utilisation of scarce land resources in the UT, the statement said.
The proposed amendments have been prepared on the recommendations of an expert committee constituted by the Chandigarh administration to review development parameters relating to optimal land utilisation and to rejuvenate industrial and commercial plots, mixed land use corridors, government housing projects and institutional infrastructure.
The draft amendments also propose expansion of mixed land use corridors along the Vikas Marg and the Sub-City Centre, Sector 43, to promote commercial activity, employment generation and economic growth.
Improved development norms and enhanced floor area ratio provisions for industrial areas have also been proposed to support businesses, startups and ease of doing business, the statement said.
In addition, comprehensive infrastructure enhancement proposals for schools, colleges, hospitals, and hostels have been included to meet modern-day requirements and growing public demand, in view of limited land in the city, it said.
The draft amendments have been published for inviting suggestions and objections from the residents, stakeholders and the public, which may be submitted within 21 days from the date of publication of the notification in the official gazette.
The draft notification has been uploaded on the official website of the Department of Urban Planning, Chandigarh administration.
The draft amendments will be considered by a screening committee after examining the suggestions and objections received from the public and stakeholders.