Lok Sabha Question No. 1739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-05
Subject: Rapid Urbanisation around Chandigarh
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1739

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 05, 2024

## RAPID URBANISATION AROUND CHANDIGARH

## NO. 1739.     SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

Will the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government is aware of the challenges arising from rapid urbanisation in Chandigarh and its peri-urban areas, particularly in towns such as Kharar;
- (b) if  so,  the  impact  on  ecological  balance,  including  biodiversity  loss, depletion of the water table and increased pollution levels in the region;
- (c) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to preserve Chandigarh's planned urban heritage;
- (d) whether  the  Government  intends  to  establish  a  comprehensive  policy framework  to  balance  urbanisation,  environmental  sustainability  and agricultural preservation in and around Chandigarh; and
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
- ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

(a) to (e) As per 12th Schedule of the Constitution of India, urban planning including  town  planning  is  the  function  of  Urban  Local  Bodies  (ULBs)/ Urban  Development  Authorities.  Government  of  India  supplements  the efforts of the States through schematic interventions/ advisories.

The Union Territory of Chandigarh has informed that Master Plan has been  notified  in  the  year  2015  to  regulate  use  and  development  in  an orderly manner. Various heritage zones, heritage precincts and buildings have been notified in Chandigarh Master Plan 2031. It provides for specific development controls and regulations with respect to these sites/ zones in Chandigarh. Administration has also notified Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee to safeguard city's heritage aspect.

The State Government of Punjab has informed that 'The Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952' was enacted with the aim to regulate the use of land and prevent unauthorized and unplanned urbanization in 16 kilometres periphery which was created with the objectives of ensuring a planned  future  expansion  of  the  New  Capital  City  and  to  prevent mushrooming of unplanned construction around it.

Further, in order to meet the emerging needs of population growth, promote planned and systematic development of the entire area and to check haphazard, unregulated and unplanned development, a comprehensive Regional Plan, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA)  (2008-2058)  was  notified  which  covers  the  entire  Periphery Controlled Area, which includes Kharar town.

The State Government has also informed that six other Master Plans (Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar, New Chandigarh, Kharar, Dera Bassi, Zirakpur, Banur) were notified in areas around Chandigarh, in the State of Punjab which provide broad land uses like Residential Zones, Commercial Zones, Industrial Zones and Institutional Zones-where such development trunk  services  and could  be  taken  up  while  also highlighting the infrastructure to support such development.

The development in this region is governed by Zoning Regulations of Master Plans; The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Building Rules 2021  and  policy  documents  framed  under  various  Acts  (The  Punjab Regional  and  Town  Planning  and  Development  Act,  1995  and  Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995) of Department of Housing and Urban Development, to regulate the development by Punjab Government

Further, as informed by the State of Punjab, consideration has been given  to  the  aspects  of  ecological  balance,  including  biodiversity  loss, depletion of the water table, and increased pollution levels while preparing the Master Plans in this region. Further, keeping in view the preservation of the eco-sensitive zones, natural drains, water resources and environmental factors, various safeguards have been proposed, such as forest areas, eco-sensitive zones, green belt along major roads have been earmarked  in  the  Master  Plans.  Considering  the  depletion  of  the  water table, there exists provisions for Rain Water Harvesting which is mandatory for  all  categories  of  buildings  under  The  Punjab  Urban  Planning  and Development Building Rules 2021.

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