Urban Planning Department raises concerns over Chandigarh's land conversion policy

The Urban Planning Department in Chandigarh has raised several concerns regarding the formulation of a draft conversion policy for changing the land use in the city's industrial areas. Before finalizing this policy, they have suggested the need for a comprehensive assessment of the demand for such conversions. This assessment would essentially entail conducting an audit or survey to gauge the actual requirement for land use conversion in the Industrial Area.
One of the primary issues highlighted by the department is that not all plots that were granted permission for conversion under the 'Chandigarh Conversion of Land use of Industrial Sites into Commercial Activity/Services, Chandigarh Scheme 2005' have transitioned from industrial to commercial use. Out of the 348 eligible plots, only 82 received conversion letters at that time, while 43 others were approved but are yet to receive their conversion letters. Interestingly, nearly 30% of the 82 plots that did get converted are currently vacant.
Furthermore, the department has reiterated concerns raised in the Chandigarh Master Plan (CMP-2031) regarding the introduction of a new land use conversion policy. The CMP emphasized the problems arising from the initial conversion policy, such as the incompatibility of new land uses with the old ones in terms of function, public interface, architectural expression, and overall city ambiance. Additionally, it pointed out that the new policy led to pressure to displace long-established uses and users, adversely impacting the city's urban design. It also exacerbated infrastructure deficiencies and caused traffic bottlenecks due to large-scale commercial activities.
In light of these issues, the planning department has suggested an alternative approach – full implementation of the MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) Act. They argue that this could eliminate the need for a fresh conversion policy. This alternative would not require amending the Chandigarh Master Plan, as the introduction of a conversion policy would, and would avoid the complex approval process involving the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee and the central government's Ministry of Home Affairs.
Additionally, the Industry Department has submitted its suggestions and inputs for the policy after consulting with industry stakeholders. Notably, numerous industrial plots, especially smaller ones, have seen unauthorized conversions from industrial to commercial use. Some have even converted into retail shops, which is a major concern.
One of the critical issues that officials are grappling with is whether the proposed policy can address and rectify building violations and property misuse that have occurred due to these unauthorized conversions. They are considering whether there should be a provision for one-time regularization of such violations under the new policy. The UT Estate Office has already issued over 300 notices of building violations and property misuse in industrial areas.
To address these complexities and challenges, a committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer has reached out to various departments to gather their suggestions and insights on the proposed conversion policy.
In conclusion, the formulation of a new land use conversion policy in Chandigarh's industrial areas is met with several challenges and considerations, including the need for a thorough assessment of demand, potential issues stemming from past conversions, and the possibility of alternative solutions like full implementation of the MSME Act. This policy's development involves a complex process that requires approvals from various authorities and the consideration of multiple stakeholders.

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Urban Planning Department raises concerns over Chandigarh's land conversion policy

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