CONCEPTNOTEONCHANDIGARH&ITSREGION

1. HistoricalBackground
Soon after Partition, the need of a new Capital for the State of Punjab was felt.
About70sq.km.oflandbetweentherivuletsPatialaChoeandSukhnaChoewereacquired
asperaMasterPlandevelopedbyLeCorbusierwhichhadanumberofcontrolmechanisms
such as architectural control, frame control, advertisement control and zoning to regulate
development.

In1966,PunjabStatewasreorganizedandChandigarhbecametheCapitalofPunjab
&Haryanahavinganareaof70sq.km.and26adjoiningvillageswithanareaof44sq.km.a
totalof114sq.km.ThereorganizationledtobuildingofnewtownsintheadjoiningStates
like SAS Nagar (Mohali) and Panchkula and hence, the need for coordination in
developmentwiththeStatesofPunjabandHaryanawasfelt.

Due to large scale urbanization in and around Chandigarh, a number of planned
interventions have already come up apart from SAS Nagar(Punjab), Panchkula
(Haryana),MansaDevi(Haryana)andChandimandirCantonment.Thesedevelopments,by
andlarge,maybeseenasafalloutofthepressureonChandigarhwhichhascomeupina
planned manner, however, around Chandigarh and within the periphery control area
developmentshavecomeupinhaphazardmanner.Itwasalsodesiredthattheseweretobe
containedandthefutureurbanizableareaneedstobedevelopedinaplannedandorderly
mannerinconsonancewiththeoverallurbancharacterofChandigarh.

2. LegislativeFrameworkforPlannedDevelopmentofChandigarhUT
ThePunjabNewCapital(Periphery)ControlAct,1952
Eversince,Chandigarhwasplanned,designedandimplementedintheearlyfifties,
therewereconcernsfortheplannedandregulateddevelopmentaroundthecity.
ThePeripheryControlActviz.,PunjabNewCapital(Periphery)ControlAct,1952was
enacted in order to control haphazard development around Chandigarh. The Act
extendedtotheareawithinadistanceof5miles(8km)onallsidesfromtheouter

 boundaryofthelandacquiredforChandigarh.Subsequently,theActwasamended
in1957&1962toenlargetheperipherytocoveranareaupto10miles(16km).

TheCapitalofPunjab(DevelopmentandRegulation)Act,1952(PunjabAct
No.27of1952)

WhiletheconstructionoftheNewCapitalofPunjabatChandigarhwasinprogress,
it was considered necessary to vest with the State Government legal authority to
regulate the sale of building sites and to promulgate building rules on the lines of
MunicipalByelawssolongasaproperlyconstitutedlocalbodydoesnottakeover
theadministrationofthecity.
The Act, extends to the City of Chandigarh and covers the areas of the site of the
Capital of Punjab as notified by the Government of Punjab before 1st November,
1966andtosuchareasasmaybenotifiedbytheCentralGovernmentfromtimeto
time.

AsfarasChandigarhUTisconcerned,thereisnocomprehensiveTownand
Country Planning Act. In the absence of enabling legislation a statutory Master
PlanforChandigarhUThasnotyetbeenprepared.

3. ReviewofEffortsofPlannedDevelopmentofChandigarh

LeCorbusierPlan
Le Corbusiers Plan is perceived more as a plan with strong architectural
connotations.StrictlyspeakingtheplanisnotatypicalMasterPlanwhichgivesthedetails
of existing sectorwise situational analysis, existing and proposed landuse analysis and
detailedassessmentofinfrastructurefacilitiesandservices.TheplanningofChandigarhisa
departurefromthewayIndiancitieshadbeenplannedanddevelopedinthepast.

LeCorbusierslayoutofthecityconformedtotheCIAMsCharterofAthensAnalogy
of Human Organism incorporating elements of living, work, culture and leisure. The plan

waspreparedforanultimatepopulationof5lakhtobedevelopedintwophases.Sector1to
30asfirstphaseandsectors31to47assecondphase.

Chandigarh has been planned with focus on urban design, architectural aesthetics,
preservation of natural environment, conservation of buildings and open spaces,
hierarchical road network with large roundabouts etc. However, keeping in view the
changing scenario in terms of development of Chandigarh and its surroundings, its
populationgrowthratehasexceeded4%during198191and19912001andthecityhas
crossedthemillionplusmarkandhasapopulationof10.05lakhin2011signifyingslowing
downthepopulationwithdecadalgrowthrateof17%(20012011).

Withthelimitedareaof114sqkm,itisanticipatedthatinspiteofslowingdownof
populationgrowth,therewouldbetremendouspressureoninfrastructure/facilitieswhich
was not visualized at the time of Le Corbusier Plans as the same was planned for an
ultimate population of 5 Lakh. The Plan did not take into consideration the dynamics of
urbanchangeandspilloverofthedevelopmentsbeyondthecitylimits.

Chandigarhwasplannedaslowrise,lowdensity,dividingthehumanfunctionsinto
work,livingandleisure,andthecitywithitsstrictzoningreflectsthis.Thiswasagainstthe
psycheofurbandwellersofthetraditionalIndiancitieswhichusedtobecharacterizedby
aninner(old)cityfollowedbytheexpansion/accretionofthecitylimitswhichcameupina
somewhat planned manner. Le Corbusier replaced the native Indian town plan with
superblockstotallydivorcedfromideasaboutcomplexandvibrantIndiancities.

The Plan catered largely to the administrative needs of the Capital of Punjab and
Haryanaafter1966.Initially,itneverhaditsowneconomicbaseandcouldnotdevelopasa
hub of industry or a trading centre. However, with ample government grants/funds being
available on account of its Union Territory status, Chandigarh was able to retain its
architecturalambienceandassuchitneverhadproblemsofprovisionofinfrastructureand
basicservices.

 65% of the total area of Chandigarh is under residential and commercial use. It
eventually emerged as an individualistic city that catered only to the residents within the
city rather than having effective connectivity with the surrounding towns. Le Corbusiers
Planwasintracitycentricanddidnotemphasizeontheintercitylinkages.

Le Corbusier thought of regulated development in and around the periphery of
Chandigarh and perceived a 16 km periphery (earlier 8 km) which he envisaged as green
buffer.However,withlimitedgeographicalspreadof114sqkm,thecityisunabletotakeon
theburdenoftheinfluxofmigrantsandhenceintheabsenceofeffectiveenforcementin
the periphery, the area has witnessed growth and unplanned development virtually
contrarytotheplanningprinciplesofChandigarh.

Chandigarh, being one of the well planned cities also did not take into consideration the
needsoftheinformalsectorandslums.Thewayitwasplanned,itwasneverthought,that
thecitymayencountertheproblemofslums.LeCorbusiersvisionofChandigarhcouldnot
have included new Sectors 48 to 56, the township of Manimajra and slums that came up
duetoincreaseinnumberofmigrantstothecity.
Le Corbusier planning has put Planners in a dilemma, whether it would be
appropriate to change the cityscape or to retain its character. The Periphery Control Act,
1952 and The Building Regulations, 1952, were framed to ensure that Chandigarh grew
systematically.However,withnumerousamendments,constructionactivitiesincreasedand
residents resorted to transformation not necessarily in consonance with the Le Corbusier
Plan. Further, in order to accommodate changes and increased infrastructure burden, any
attempttowidentheexistingroads,redesigningtherotariestotakecareoftrafficvolume,
allowing construction of additional floors and group housing (apartments) and proposing
MassRapid TransitSystemmaynotonlypermanentlyalterthecityscapebutalsothecity
mayloseitsoriginalbuiltform.
(ThePlanpreparedbyLeCorbusierisgivenatAnnexureIII)

3.1 Constitution of Coordination Committee

To guide and channelize the growth of Chandigarh and the urban centres
comingupinitsneighbourhood,theGovernmentofIndiasetupaCoordinationCommittee
on26thJuly,1975.TheCompositionoftheCommitteewas:
1. Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing Chairman

2 General Officer in Command, 2 Corps, Member

Ministry of Defense

3. Chief Commissioner, Chandigarh Member

4. Chief Secretary, Punjab Member

5. Chief Secretary, Haryana Member

The terms of the reference of the Coordination Committee are:

a) To study the development plans of the Union Territory of Chandigarh and

those of Mohali and Panchkula townships and to suggest measures for
coordinated development of region;
b) to assess the impact of the development programmes already implemented
and those being implemented in the two townships; on the development of
the region as a whole and to suggest remedial measures to be taken by the
State Governments and the Union Territory; and
c) to prepare an outline regional plan for Chandigarh and the urban areas falling
within its zone of influence.

So far 22meetings of the Coordination Committee have been held since 1975. The
last meeting of the Committee was held on 1st September, 2011. Until now the role of Co-
ordination Committee has been more of an advisory nature to co-ordinate amongst the
States and UT.

 InterStateRegionalPlanforChandigarhRegion2001

TheInterStateRegionalPlanforChandigarhRegion(ISCR2001)waspreparedby
TCPOin1984basedontheoutcomeoftheFourthCoordinationCommitteemeetingheld
on22ndMay,1979.TheCommitteefeltthattherewasaneedforstructuringaRegional
PlanforChandigarhInterStateRegion(ChandigarhISR)andtogiveastatutoryshapetothe
exercise. A Working Group was constituted in 1981 under the Chairmanship of Chief
Planner,TCPOforitsformulation.AnInterimReportoftheChandigarhISRPlanpreparedby
theWorkingGroupwaspresentedinthe7thCoordinationCommitteemeetingheldon1st
March,1983.InthismeetingabroadconsensuswasarrivedatonadoptionoftheRegional
Plan, which has to form the basis for preparation of more detailed Regional Plans by the
respectiveStateGovernmentsandtheUTofChandigarh.

Highlights:

InterStateRegionalPlancoveredtheUTChandigarhandareasarounditcomprising
ofRupnagarandPatialadistrictsinPunjab,AmbaladistrictinHaryanaandSolandistrictin
HimachalPradesh.

The total area of the ISCR 2001 was 2421.3 sqkm with an average
radiusofabout35kmfromthecoreofChandigarh(ChandigarhUT+
Chandigarh Urban Complex + 16 Km radius Peripherycontrol Area +
Someportionsbeyondthe16kmradiusinPunjab,HaryanaandHP).
(theISCR2001PlanisgivenatAnnexureIV)

TheISCR2001coveredthefollowing:
(i) DelineationofRegion
(ii) SocioEconomic status of the Region and Levels of
Development
(iii) SettlementPattern
(iv) Regionalproblemsandlimitations
(v) Growthpotentials
(vi) RegionalDevelopmentpolicyandcontrol
(vii) RegionalDevelopmentstrategy
(viii) DevelopmentActionprogrammesandpriorities
(ix) Financialoutlay

 ISRPlan2001,asapolicyframeworkstressedontheintegratedand
coordinated development in the entire region and recommended
policiespertainingto:

a) Industrialdevelopment
b) Ruraldevelopment
c) TradeandCommerce
d) DecentralizationofGovernmentandSemigovernmentoffices
fromChandigarh
e) ConservationofEnvironmentandEcology
f) Housing

ISR Plan 2001 as a part of Regional Development Strategy,
recommended the following settlement hierarchy which were to be
developedaspertheirpotential:

Orders SettlementUnits Numbers

FirstOrder ChandigarhUrbanComplex 1
SecondOrder RegionalTowns 10
ThirdOrder SubRegionalTowns 4
FourthOrder GrowthCentres 10
FifthOrder SubGrowthCentres 10
SixthOrder FocalVillages
SeventhOrder BasicVillages

ISCR2001wasadvisoryinnature.ThePlanwasnotimplementedasthere
was no enabling provision for notification and implementation of Regional Plan.
Hence,theplanwasanonstarter.

 ChandigarhInterStateMetropolitanRegionalPlan2021(CISMeR):
TheChandigarhInterStateMetropolitanRegionPlan2021waspreparedbyProf.
E.F.N Ribeiro. In the 14th meeting of the Coordination Committee, a presentation of this
was made by Prof. Ribeiro, which highlighted the need for preparing a Plan in the
metropolitancontext.However,therewasnofurtherfollowupinthemattersubsequentto
the14thmeetingoftheCoordinationCommittee.

Highlights

ChandigarhInterStateMetropolitanRegionPlanproposeddevelopmentinSixLayers.

Layer Area Constituents Remarks

LayerI 43sqkm PhaseI:Sector130 Original planned and designed part of
Chandigarh
LayerII 27sqkm PhaseII:Sector3147 Originalplannedbutnotdesignedpart
ofChandigarh
LayerIII 44sqkm Sector4856 Partofold8Kmperipheralbeltof1952
LayerIV 435sqkm ChandigarhMetropolitanComplex Outside Layer IIII in lieu of the 1975
Chandigarh Urban Complex outside
ChandigarhUTinPunjabandHaryana.
LayerV 613sqkm 16 km Peripheral Control belt in OutsideLayerIIV
HaryanaandPunjab
LayerVI 4158sqkm Radiusof50kmbeyondlayerI&II 10tehsils(4inPunjab,3inHaryana&
3inHimachalPradesh
Total 5702sqkm LayerIVI
Area

ThetotalareaoftheCISMeR2021wasproposedas5702sqkm.

CISMeR2021,Proposalsfordevelopment:

Layer DesignedforPopulation Planninganddevelopmentproposal

LayerI 3lakh LayerItobepreservedasperitsoriginalcharacter
LayerII 5lakh LayerIItobepreservedasperitsoriginalcharacter,however4
urbanisedvillagesaretobeincluded
LayerIII 13lakh LayerI+II+IIIplanneddevelopmenttoaccommodate13lakh
populationby2021
LayerIV 12lakh Punchkula+Mansadevi+Mohali+Kharar
LayerV 16kmPeripheralControlbeltinHaryanaandPunjab
LayerVI Around38lakhby2021 OutsidePeripheryControlAreaof16kms

CISMeR2021broadlycomprisedofthreeintegratedplans:
a) Aconcept(advocacy)planforproposedCISMeR(4158.17sqkm)PlanA1
b) AStructureplanfortheproposedChandigarhMetropolitanComplex(CMC)
withinCISMeR(435.00sqkm)PlanB1
c) Abroad Landuse Plan for Chandigarh UT outside its identified Master Plan
AreabutwithinCMC(44sqkm)PlanC1(theCISMeR2021Planisgivenat
AnnexureV)
8

 CISMeRaimedatpreservingandprotectingthecityofChandigarhthroughplanned
interventions in surrounding areas. It envisaged Chandigarh to emerge as a major
metropolitanmagnetwithnationalandinternationallinkages.Inthelongrun,itisessential
thatplanneddevelopmentoftheperipheryandareasbeyondshouldalsobeundertaken
and the entire Chandigarh Interstate Metropolitan Region needs to emerge as a region
which not only ensures generating economic momentum but redistribution of
population,employment and development of villages and small and medium towns.
However,somepointsneedtobehighlightedinrespectofCISMeR.

TheCISMeRPlanwouldbefeasibleonlyifittakesintoaccountthegroundrealities
andtheneeds/requirementsoftheUTofChandigarhandthesurroundingstatesofPunjab,
HaryanaandHimachalPradesh.Theentireregionposescomplexanddynamicissueswhich
donotprovideasimpleandsingularsolution.Therefore,theplanmustlayemphasisonthe
optimum development of the entire region, so that over a period of time, the adjoining
towns of Punjab Haryana and Himachal Pradesh attain such status which is at par with
Chandigarh.

It has been mentioned in the CISMerPlan, that the population of northern sectors
(Layer I) shall be 2.5 3.0 Lakh by 2021 and the corresponding population in the southern
sectors (Layer II) shall be 2.5 5 Lakh. This is doubtful, whether the redensificationof the
Layer II to such an extent would be desirable as there already exists a higher level of
populationdensityinthisarea.Thismayleadtoexcessiveburdenontheinfrastructureof
Mohali. Further, the location of the rehabilitation colonies in the border sectors of
ChandigarhadjoiningMohaliisboundtoadverselyaffectthedevelopedsectors.

TheCISMeRPlansuggeststhatanewsettlementwithapopulationof2lakhmaybe
developed in Siswan region. In this context, it may be mentioned that the region falls in
ecologically sensitive area. Hence, the location of new settlement may lead to ecological
imbalance.

 The Plan also focuses on the agricultural zone on the west side bordering UT
Chandigarh.However,thiszoneishighlypronetohaphazardandunplannedgrowth.Hence,
stepsneedtobetakenforplannedurbandevelopment.

IthasbeenmentionedthattheareasonthewestandnorthwestofChandigarhare
highly fertile and not appropriate for urbanization. However, before going for planned
urbanizationitisessentialtoascertainbarrenorwastelandwhichisnotusedforcultivation
andwhichmaybeconsideredforplannedurbanization.

The layer concept as advocated by CISMeR Plan may be too simplistic to offer a
solution and may not be in consonance with the ground realities. In fact the objective
shouldbetointegratetheexistingdevelopmentandprovidegroundsforplannedgrowthof
theregionwithacompleteconsensualframeworkwhichshouldtakecareofinfrastructure
needsparticularlyintermsoftransportandcommunicationnetwork.

The CISMeR Plan should have included carrying capacity of the entire region and
how the population redistribution shall take place among the other settlements in the
regionsoastoultimatelyreducetheburdenonChandigarh.

Thegrowthofurbansettlementsisarealtimephenomenonandthedevelopmentof
thesameisperceivedascentersofemploymentgeneration.Inmigrationtothesecentersis
also a reality. As proposed in the CISMeR Plan, the periphery is to be used only for
agriculturalpurposes;thismaynotaugurwellwiththeplanneddevelopmentandmaybe
vulnerabletohaphazardgrowth,encroachmentandunauthorizeddevelopment.Thus,there
is a need to create and upgrade infrastructure facilities with low density of population
without compromising environmental considerations and large scale conversion of fertile
land.

CISMerPlanhasmentionedabouttheeffectivetransportationlinkswithChandigarh
toallthesettlementsoftheregion.Inthisregard,itmaybementionedthataplanforring
roadaroundChandigarhmaybetakenuptobypassthethroughtraffic.

10

 Chandigarh has always been seen as planned city. Le Corbusiers vision did not
includenewsectorsof48to56andphysicaldevelopmentbeyondtheperiphery.Hencea
Regional Plan exercise should be undertaken on the lines of the National Capital Regional
Plan and there is a need for institutional mechanisms to manage and coordinate
development.ThisoughttohaveformedpartofCISMeRPlan.

ThebasicapproachofChandigarhbeingtreatedasametropolisandthensuggesting
a regional strategy to achieve the objective of decentralized planned growth of entire
hinterlandneedsareview.Judgingfromthesuccess/failureofNCRplan,CISMeRshould
havesuggestedstrategiesforbalancedregionaldevelopment.

Suggesting concept of layers may also lead to stratification of development of the
cityandregion.However,thegrowthofChandigarhandthesurroundingtownsneedstobe
seenasanintegratedurbanagglomeration.

Housing5lakhpopulationinlayerIIIwillinvolveaveryhighdensityandmaynotbe
sustainable unless the periphery is urbanized. Further, assigning 2.5 lakh population in
Sectors 4856 appears to be on a high side. It would make this part of Chandigarh highly
congested;devoidofbasicofamenitiesandfacilities.Thepopulationassignmentforvarious
layersneedstobereworked.

The CISMeR Plan basically reflects the issue of growth and development of the
region in the physical terms only. It does not reflect the financial implications of
implementingtheproposalinbroadtermsandalsomechanismsforresourcegenerationto
meet the objectives of this CISMeR Plan. Hence, it needs to reflect the magnitude of
financialoutlaysformakingitmorecomprehensive.

CISMeRPlandoesnottakeintoaccounttheimpactofgrowthanddevelopmentdue
tothepolicydecisionsoftheStateGovernmentstodevelopfreeenterprisezone,industrial
complexes and SEZs, etc. An impact assessment analysis needs to be done on account of
newdevelopmentscomingupinandaroundChandigarh.

11

 The concept of urbanizing villages falling within the Master Plan area needs to be
criticallyreviewedduetomassiveuncontrolled,unauthorizedandhaphazarddevelopment
in these villages. Development in these villages needs to be brought within the overall
developmentframeworkwiththerulesfordevelopmentclearlydefined.

Evolvingaphysicalframeworkforintegratedplannedgrowthanddevelopmentfor
Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula would be crucial in view of the linkages, housing,
infrastructure and high degree of interdependence of these settlements. Future urban
structure and population of these settlements needs clear definition in order to avoid
unlimitedgrowthofthecorearea.

The CISMeR Plan was submitted by Prof. Riberio in 2000, however, there was no
furtherfollowup.

12

4 EnablingLegislaativeProvvisionforP
4. Preparatio
onofMasster/Regio
onalPlanss

CO
OMPARATIVEESTATEMENTTOFPROVISIO
ONFOR PREPA
ARATIONOFREGIONALPLLAN/MASTER
RPLAN

13

5.0NeedforanInterStateRegionPlanforChandigarh

InordertoensureorderlyandplanneddevelopmentinChandigarhanditsperiphery
andtheregionbeyondtheperiphery,thereisutmostneedtoprepareanInterStateRegion
PlanforChandigarhRegion.Barring,thePunjabRegionalandTownPlanningDevelopment
Act,1995thereisnoprovisionforpreparationofregionalplaninthelegislativeframework
forplanneddevelopmentinChandigarhorHaryana.

ChandigarhU.T.presentsfewoptionsfordevelopmentofresidentialareasandother
areas generating economic activities. One possibility may be redensification of certain
areastoaccommodatethefuturepopulationinU.T.However,anyredensificationpolicy
should not compromise with overall low rise low density development pattern and
architecturalcharacterofthecity.

In view of this, the periphery has not only to absorb population pressure but also
infrastructureburden.Duetoineffectiveenforcement,barringMohaliandPanchkula,many
settlements have come up in an unplanned manner. In order to ensure sustainable
development of the Chandigarh periphery, it would be imperative that the development
strategiesneedtobedrawnupatregionallevelmuchbeyondtheareasofperiphery.

TheInterStateRegionPlanforChandigarhhastobepreparedtoachievebalanced
and sustainable integrated development which should focus on connectivity / transport
linkages between the towns in the region, land use policies, carrying capacity,
environmental conservation, disaster management and financial and institutional
framework.Theinterstateregionalplanmaybepreparedfora20yearperspective.

14

5. Modalities

The InterState Region Plan of Chandigarh would cut across the boundaries of
Chandigarh UT, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Hence, formulating the same on
thelinesoftheNationalCapitalRegionPlanisdesirable.Inordertoenablethis,following
actionsandinitiativesneedconsideration:
S.No. Action Initiative
1. Enactment of Chandigarh Chandigarh Administration needs to prepare draft Bill and
RegionPlanningAct sendtoMinistryofHomeAffairs,forconsideration.
2. Constitution of Chandigarh Once the Bill is considered and cleared by Parliament, after
RegionPlanningBoard obtaining the consent of the State Legislative Assemblies of
Haryana,PunjabandHimachalPradesh,theUTofChandigarh
Administration needs to constitute Chandigarh Region
Planning Board on the lines of National Capital Region
PlanningBoardwithsoundprofessionalsetup.
3. Preparation of Chandigarh The Chandigarh Region Plan will have to be prepared as per
RegionPlan theprovisionsofChandigarhRegionPlanningAct.Furtherthe
issueofdownwardlinkagesuptotheGramPanchayatlevelwill
have to be addressed by constituting District Planning
Committee and preparation of Draft District Development
PlansofthedistrictswithintheRegion.
4. Implementation of Chandigarh The States of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and UT
RegionPlan AdministrationofChandigarhshallimplementtheproposalsof
theRegionPlanandaccordinglymonitorprogress.

6. TermsofReferenceforPreparationofChandigarhInterStateRegionPlan2031.
The broad terms of reference for preparation of Chandigarh InterState Regional
Plan2031maybeasunder:

(i) To delineate the InterState Chandigarh Region and assess the development
pattern.
(ii) To assess the physical base, economic base, demographic pattern, settlement
patternandavailabilityofphysicalandsocialinfrastructure.

15

 (iii) TocarryoutLandSuitabilityAnalysisforurbandevelopmentandtoassesstheland
availability for perspective year for various uses. Landuse a such as conservation
areas(NaturalandManmadeincludingheritagesites),primeagriculturalareasfor
foodsecurityandagrarianeconomy,environmentallysensitiveareas,wasteland,
etc. to be identified and after this development may be proposed in the Region
dependingupontherequirementandpotentialfordevelopment.
(iv) To examine the transportation needs and recommend the strategies for the
reliable,efficientandseamlesstransportnetworkfortheRegion
(v) To integrate infrastructure requirement and environment concerns together with
landusepatternandtransportation.
(vi) Toidentifyappropriatepolicyzonesbasedonthepredominanteconomicactivities
andpotentialintheregionandsubregions
(vii) To recommend suitable strategies for the sustainable development of the region
based on population forecasting and assessment of the regional infrastructure
requirements.
(viii) To develop policy guidelines for decentralization of economic activities,
development of settlements based on hierarchy and redistribution of population
thereofintheregion.

7. Tosuggestappropriateinstitutionalmechanismforcoordinationamongtheconcerned
StatesandChandigarhU.T.Administration,PlanningZonesofChandigarh

AsperthesuggestionofNCRPlanningBoard,theChandigarhInterStateRegionmay
bedividedinto3PlanningZones:

Zone1 : This zone maybe theMother City i.e.,Chadigarh city(114 sqkm) Master
Plan
Zone2 : This zone maybe designated as Central Chandigarh Region (CCR), to be
coterminouswithPeripheryControlBelt.
Zone3 :Thiszone maybedesignatedasRestofthe ChandigarhRegion,forwhich
theboundarymaybedefinedafterdelineationstudyCISRPlan

16

8. ConstitutionofWorkingGroup

The Chandigarh U.T. Administration may take necessary action to constitute Sub
GroupsonthelinesofWorkingGroupsconstitutedfortheNCRPlan2021soasto
provide inputs towards the preparation of Chandigarh Interstate Regional Plan,
2031.TheSubGroupsmaybefor:
(1) PolicyZones,
(2) DemographicProfileandSettlementPattern,
(3) LandAcquisition,ManagementandRealEstateDevelopment
(3) LanduseandRuralDevelopment,
(4) PhysicalInfrastructure,
(5) UtilityandServiceInfrastructure,
(7) EnvironmentincludingHeritageandTourism,
(8) InstitutionalFramework
(9) EconomicandFiscalPolicy
Based on the inputs of the SubGroups, the Chandigarh Interstate Region Plan,
2031may be prepared. The experts for SubGroups may be experts in Urban and
Regional Planning who are well versed with the ground realities of Chandigarh
Region.
TownandCountryPlanningOrganization(TCPO)willrendertechnicalassistanceas
andwhenrequired.

9. NeedfortheChandigarhMasterPlan
So far, there is no statutory Master Plan for Chandigarh mainly due to absence of
provisions for preparing the same in the Periphery Control Act and Punjab New Capital
TerritoryDevelopmentAct.Hence,thefirstandforemost taskwould beeithertoamend
theseActstoincorporateenablingprovisionsforthepreparationofMasterPlanorframea
comprehensive Town and Country Planning Act for Chandigarh UT which should have the
provision for preparation of Master Plan/Zonal Plan. In this regard, Department of Urban
Planning, UT of Chandigarh may attempt drafting of Town and Country Planning Act and

17

send the same for consideration of Ministry of Home Affairs. The main reasons for the
requirementofastatutoryMasterPlanarehighlightedasunder:

Chandigarh City with an area of 114 Sq. km offers very limited land for future
development. Due to limited scope for horizontal growth, it is obvious that to
accommodatethefuturerequirement,developmentneedstobevertical.However,
keeping in view the overall architectural character of the city, it is very much
essential to prepare Master Plan so as to not only accommodate future
requirementsbutalsostrikeabalancebetweentheexistingandproposedbuiltform
andnaturalenvironment.

In view of inevitable inmigration to the city of Chandigarh, the existing
infrastructure is likely to be strained and there would be spillover of development
beyondthelimitsofthecity.Theperipheralareasofthecityhavealreadywitnessed
largescaledevelopments.

ThedevelopmentofChandigarhcannotbeviewedinisolation.Itisintrinsicallylinked
withtheperipheryandthesatellitetownsofMohali,PanchkulaandMansaDeviand
beyond.
Hence,itispertinenttoinitiateacomprehensiveMasterPlanexercisewhichshould
makedetailedanalysisofdemography,availability/mismatchofprovisionofphysical
and social infrastructure and existing land use. Based on this analysis, the Master
Planneeds to come up with long term strategies for sustainable development of
Chandigarh.

18

10. Modalities:

TheMasterPlanforChandigarhneedstofocusthefollowingTermsofReference(TOR).

(i) TostudythedevelopmentpatternofChandigarh.

(ii) To present the situational analysis of demographic profile, environment, urban
aesthetics,socioeconomicbase,landuseandprovisionofphysicalinfrastructure
andsocialamenities.

(iii) ToanalyzetheholdingcapacityofChandigarhanditsperipherywithreferenceto
a20yearperspective.

(iv) To examine the existing development control regulations and suggest
amendments, , in view of the existing and future development and checking
unplannedgrowth.

(v) Torecommendacomprehensivedevelopmentstrategybothshortandlongterm
indicating sectoral priorities, financial implications and implementation
framework.

ItmaybestatedthatDepartmentofUrbanPlanning,UTChandigarh,hasalready
takenstepstoprepareDraftMasterPlanforChandigarh2031.However,inordertogive
statutory backing to the Master Plan, provisions will have to be incorporated in the
existing legal framework for the planned development or a comprehensive Town and
CountryPlanningActhastobeenacted.

19

 AnnexureI

StrengthsandWeaknessesofNCRPlanningBoardAct,1985

Strengths:

(i) As per the provisions of clause (1) of article 252 of the Constitution, resolutions have
beenpassedbyalltheHousesofthelegislatureoftheStatesofHaryana,UttarPradesh
and Rajasthan to the effect that the matters be regulated in those States by the
ParliamentbyLaw.

(ii) TheNCRPlanningBoardAct,1985hasbeenenactedbytheParliament.

(iii) Under Section 27 the Act has the overriding effect not withstanding anything
inconsistent therewith content any other law for the time being in force or in any
instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act; or in any decree or
orderofanycourt,tribunalorotherauthority.

(iv) NCR Planning Board is a high powered Board chaired by Union Minister of Urban
Development and concerned Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and Ministers of Urban
Development Departments of NCR participating states and other senior officers are
members.

Weaknesses:

(i) NCRPlanningBoardhasnopowerforimplementationoftheRegionalPlanspoliciesand
proposals.

(ii) SubRegionalPlanfortherespectiveconstituentSubregionshavetobepreparedbythe
respective State Governments. The responsibility for implementation of SubRegional
PlanslieswiththerespectiveStategovernments.

(iii) There is no time frame for preparation and finalization of SubRegional Plan and
FunctionalPlan.

(iv) NoprovisionintheActforapprovaloftheSubRegionalPlansbytheNCRPlanningBoard.
TheStategovernmentssubmittheSubRegionalPlanstotheNCRPBtoenabletheBoard
toensurethatsuchPlanisinconformitywiththeRegionalPlan.

(v) The policies and proposals are to be translated into action on the ground through the
Master / Development Plans. There is no provision for preparation of
Master/Development Plans in accordance with the policies and proposals of Regional
PlanandnoprovisionforapprovaloftheMaster/DevelopmentPlansbytheNCRPB.

20

 AnnexureII
ActivityChart/WorkPlan
WorkingGroup/HighLevel
Committeetooverseeentire
exercise

EnactmentofActDraftingofBills StudyonDelineationofthe
&Legislations Region

Constitution of Consultancy Review

CommitteeforResearchStudies:

ExistingLanduse
Demographic&Settlement
pattern
Transport
Economicprofile
Water
Sewerage
Solidwastemanagement
Power
Health
Education
Environment
Heritage&Tourism

ConstitutionofChandigarhRegion
PlanningBoard PreparationofDraftRegionalPlan

FinalRegionalPlan

SubRegionalPlans
FunctionalPlanforRegional
Infrastructure
Master/DevelopmentPlans

ProjectPlans Master / Dev. Plans

21

 AnnexureIII

LeCorbusiersPlanforCHANDIGARH

22

 AnnexureIV

ISCRPlanforChandigarhRegion2001

AnnexureV

23

24

25

26

27

28

29