Chandigarh Mayor Protests During Council Meeting, Demolition Drive Paused

Protest Initiated by Chandigarh Mayor and Councillors

During a council meeting on Wednesday, Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi, along with several other councillors, protested against the ongoing demolition drive conducted by the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB). The protest took place in Sector 45, where Joshi declared he would not leave the area until the demolition efforts were halted, giving officials a 15-minute notice to cease operations.

The situation escalated when Congress councillor Gurpreet Singh highlighted the urgent issue of residents facing potential demolition of their homes. He urged for solidarity among councillors, emphasizing that the CHB was continuing its actions even amidst challenging weather conditions, such as rain. Gurpreet voiced his determination, stating, “No one can suppress my voice today” and expressed discontent over the administration’s previous assurances that demolitions would not occur, which he felt were being disregarded.

Councillors Unite Against Housing Board Actions

As the lunch break was announced, the councillors and Mayor Joshi proceeded to Sector 45 to stage their protest. Joshi affirmed that councillors from various parties were united in supporting the residents, insisting that the demolition drive must cease immediately.

Mayor Joshi reinforced the concerns presented in the council, accusing the Housing Board of unjustly harassing residents and assuring attendees that the Municipal Corporation would advocate for the community’s interests. Furthermore, Gurpreet reminded the council of earlier statements made by the Union Territory (UT) Administrator promising that homes would not be demolished, yet the CHB’s actions contradicted that commitment.

Allegations Against the Housing Board

Gurpreet further alleged that the CHB was unfairly targeting smaller housing structures under the guise of eliminating illegal constructions, while larger encroachments, including those involving influential figures such as bureaucrats and judges, went largely unaddressed. He called for the authorities to prioritize the removal of encroachments related to high-ranking individuals before taking action against the homes constructed by hardworking middle- and lower-income families.

Following the protest at Sector 45, the demolition drive was temporarily halted for the day due to the councillors’ protests. Support for the residents was extended not only by the councillors but also by the Chandigarh Residents’ and Welfare Associations’ Federation (CRAWFED), which urged the Chandigarh Administrator to intervene and halt the ongoing demolition initiatives in sectors 45 and 41.

Concerns Over Demolition Justification and Future Plans

Hitesh Puri, chairman of CRAWFED, questioned the necessity of the demolition drive, especially since plans for redevelopment of CHB flats had been proposed during a previous Administrator’s Advisory Council meeting. A report from the Central Public Works Department indicated that the expected lifespan of these flats would conclude in 2033. Puri suggested that the CHB could afford to delay any demolition activities until redevelopment strategies were implemented, rather than enforce immediate actions.

During this interim period, CRAWFED proposed that the CHB impose usage fees for any additional spaces utilized beyond legal limitations, accompanied by assurance that no further unauthorized constructions would be permitted. CRAWFED issued a warning, stating that continued demolition could lead to unrest among the nearly 60,000 families affected, potentially jeopardizing law and order in the city. They stated the importance of thoughtful action to mitigate tensions among the residents.

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