Chandigarh: Middle class all set to benefit if Apartment Act enforced in toto
If implemented, will Apartment Act prove a boon for Chandigarh residents?
Residents will have Ownership rights
The implementation of the Apartment Act in Chandigarh will facilitate ownership rights to residents. As property prices are soaring and beyond reach of the common man the Act will enable them to buy portion of three-storey buildings.
NPS Sohal, Chandigarh
It may have an adverse impact
Implementation of the Apartment Act will have an have an adverse impact in Chandigarh. More and more occupants in one house will choke the city. This will also create problems in the neighbourhood. Parking issues will haunt residents. The beauty of the city will be lost and there will be a concrete jungle.
Vineet Gandhi, Chandigarh
Elderly will be safe
Whether Apartment Act is good or bad will be known only after it is implemented in the City Beautiful. The Act will provide safety for the elderly, who live alone and are at risk. Different families will live in one house, which will minimise the security risk. Also, it’ll create parking issues as more families will have more cars.
Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Mohali
Property sale will get a boost
The implementation of the Apartment Act in Chandigarh will be boon for all those having independent houses with additional residential accommodation on different floors, which is surplus to their personal needs. Floor wise sale of accommodation will be easy even in posh sectors of the city. The Act will boost property dealers’ business during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
SC Luthra, Chandigarh
Residents will be saved from litigation
The Apartment Act will be a boon for residents if implemented in the City Beautiful. Presently, properties are registered in name of buyers on percentage share basis for example 50 per cent on ground floor, 30 per cent on first floor and 20 per cent on second floor. This percentage system is practically a failure keeping in view the ground realities and lacunae in the law. It’s high time that the Act is enforced at the earliest to save residents from any litigation after they have purchased property.
Col TBS Bedi (retd), Mohali
Selling, buying property will be easy
The implementation of the Apartment Act in Chandigarh will be beneficial for the public as they will be able to sell or rent out their share in property concerned. It is a boon for those, who cannot afford their own house in an expensive city like Chandigarh. It will benefit affordable housing policy of the government. Truly, this Act will help common man and give a push to property consultants/dealers business in the UT. The Administration must check misuse of the Act to avoid harassment of the public by unscrupulous property agents.
Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Sangrur
Enforce Act sans restrictions
The Administration determines the value of three-story building on the 50-30-20 per cent ratio basis. But, to believe that any owner will divide property among his/her inheritors on the said basis is utterly foolishness. If a person has registered or unregistered will, any percentage of property can be fixed for his/her inheritors. Otherwise, all claimants to property will have equal rights. Besides, the Administration presumes that property shares have been sold only between co-owners and not to outsiders, which is another flaw. The Apartment Act can be successfully enforced only if properties are developed and sold as such and not as single three-story residential buildings. Also, the Act should be implemented in letter and spirit and without any restrictions.
Suresh Verma, Chandigarh
Admn, mc will earn more revenue
By enforcing the Apartment Act the Administration can earn revenue. Also, it will help middle class families realise their dream of owning a house in the City Beautiful. Although two/three families together buy a house, they can’t get it registered in their names. Separate water and power connections in houses will generate more revenue for the Municipal Corporation and Electricity Department.
Savita Kuthiala, Chandigarh
Extra burden on overstretched infra
Those in real estate business are minting money by selling houses as apartments/floor wise particularly in the northern sectors of Chandigarh. It is feared that if the trend continues it will put extra burden on already overstretched infrastructure of the city. If the practise is not stopped there will be no place for parking of vehicles. The Act will create a lot of problems. It’ll change basic character of the city. Le Corbusier designed houses for single families. The necessary infrastructure was conceived accordingly. The UT Administration must ensure that the basic character of the city remains intact.
Sanjay Chopra, Mohali
Construct Houses on city’s periphery
The Administration must let Chandigarh remain beautiful. This city is known for its unique architecture. If the Apartment Act is enforced in the UT, it’ll change its basic character. Rather, the Administration should develop residential areas on the city’s periphery to provide affordable houses to residents.
Garv Bhupesh, Panchkula
A big no to Act
Are we seriously thinking of allowing more people to live in Chandigarh? We are installing air purifiers, trying to get rid of routine traffic jams, pollution and resolve many other issues. How will we accommodate more people in Chandigarh? The Apartment Act instead of resolving low-cost housing issue will spoil beauty of the City Beautiful.
Anju Mohan, Panchkula
Parking in basement
The Chandigarh Administration has not the passed the Apartment Act, but sale of property share, which is proportionally divided floor wise among occupants, is allowed. There is nothing illegal in it or no extra load on infrastructure. Only three ownerships in different names exist for one house. If the Apartment Act is implemented without extending any floor, it might benefit those, who are interested to live in the city. Even parking area can be developed in basement subject to approval of structure design. Majority of residents, industry and market associations favour Act. It would be laudable if stakeholders and public views are considered before the implementation of the Act.
Sukhpal Singh, Chandigarh
Single ownership norm should continue
Enforcing the Apartment Act in Chandigarh will invite trouble for commercial building owners. Disposal of factory waste, parking pangs and maintaining main gate of the building will invite quarrels and litigation. It’s better if only single ownership concept continues in the city, which is a boon for property owners.
MR Bhateja, Nayagaon
Don’t reduce green cover in city
The Apartment Act can benefit residents only if it preserves city’s original character and improves infrastructure through modern and eco-friendly technology. The greenery of Chandigarh cannot be reduced at any cost.
Adish Sood, Amloh
Won’t affect heritage architecture of city
The Apartment Act pertains to floor wise sale/purchase of private property. As the time has changed need-based modifications are essential. The housing board and builders are already providing similar facilities to the general public. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with the Act. Presumably, it will not affect the city’s heritage architecture. Rather, it would help earn the Administration enough revenue through fee and facilitate the public as well. The only presumption is that it may lead to parking chaos, which can be tackled with expert advice.
Surinder Paul Wadhwa, Mohali
Difference in opinion
In 2001, the Chandigarh Administration notified apartment rules according to which single residential units could be subdivided into apartments, but these were repealed in 2007. Now, there is a demand for the implementation of the Apartment Act. There are different opinions about the enforcement of the Act and its outcome. There is no provision in master plan for the portion wise sale of any unit/building. Now, the matter is under judicial preview. If the Act is enforced it will benefit traders, real-estate agents and residents of the city.
Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula
A long way to go
The UT Administration should give option to residents to adopt the Apartment Act. Residents, especially senior citizens, who can’t take care of their property or those who want to earn from it, can adopt the Act. Question of safety too arises in case a family member sells his/her share in the property to a stranger. The Administration has failed to curb building violations in CHB houses and other units. So, the Act has a long way to go.
Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali
Act will destroy City Beautiful
Everyone knows that Chandigarh is a well-planned city. The implementation of the Apartment Act will not benefit residents of the City Beautiful in any way. Traffic and population will increase. The sewerage and other infrastructure will be stretched beyond limit. The Act will destroy City Beautiful’s heritage fabric.
Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali
A step in right direction
Enforcing Apartments Act in the UT will be a step in right direction. Property rate is high in Chandigarh as compared to adjoining cities. It’ll help owners divide property among their heirs on per cent share basis. Heirs can sell their share to any person without seeking any permission from the Administration. The Act will benefit common man, who can’t afford to buy complete house in the City Beautiful. The Administration would earn more revenue if the Act is enforced. Real estate business will boom in the city.
Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh
Consider demand of nuclear families
The sale of three floors of a single house to different persons on a share basis continues unabated in the city. If the Apartment Act is not implemented, then the present situation may worsen. Although houses were meant for a single family, yet seeing the changing scenario of modern-day nuclear families implementing the Apartment Act will be beneficial to buyers and residents.
Simran Sidhu, Chandigarh
Satellite towns can meet housing demand
Chandigarh is a city, which has to preserve its heritage so that future generations can count on its beauty in the years to come. The UT Administration should not make City Beautiful a concrete jungle by implementing the Apartment Act. The design and layout of houses prepared by Le Corbusier should be retained. High rise apartments should not be allowed as they would steal city’s beauty. Housing demand of the growing population can be met in satellite townships, which have modern transport facilities.
Dr Anil Kumar Yadav, Chandigarh
Ploy to destroy Corbusier’s legacy
The much hyped drive launched to implement the Apartment Act in Chandigarh may prove a boon for residents, but would be detrimental for city’s future. There is no denying that unchecked population explosion in the city has escalated the demand for housing over the years. Keeping in view the idea of converting bungalows into apartments to cater to burgeoning demand of residents, the Administration needs to take a clear stand so as to protect and preserve Le Corbusier legacy. Otherwise, the lopsided plan would spoil the heritage character of the city. The Administration cannot act as a lame duck and allow Chandigarh to turn into a city of concrete while throwing the master plan to the winds.
Ramesh K Dhiman, Chandigarh
No need for Act
Implementation of the Apartment Act will be another mistake of the Chandigarh Administration. The areas, which are densely populated, will become more congested. If we compare northern and southern sectors the later will take the load if the Act is implemented as population increase will impact availability of resources for residents. Life of residents will become miserable and Chandigarh will lose its beauty.
Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh
Joint families will be secure
The Apartment Act will enable individual ownership of multi-storey buildings. Joint families residing on different floors would be more secure as they would have individual ownership of the property. There would be less disputes among families. Also, the sale and purchase of floor wise property would be hassle free.
Charu Malhotra, Mohali
A challenge for Administration
The city has a population of nearly 12 lakh. If the population continues to increase at the present rate then by 2025 many people in the city will have no access to affordable, adequate and secure housing. The Administration cannot build more independent houses within 114 sqkm area of the city. This is a challenge for the authorities concerned. Apartments are the only solution to cater to the increasing housing demand of city residents.
SK Khosla, Chandigarh
Opportunity to overhaul infra
In City Beautiful, the rising population needs more space for houses. To meet this demand, the authorities concerned must allow construction of apartment buildings in place of bungalows while retaining city’s heritage. Some old sectors of the city should be designated as heritage zones where construction should not be allowed. This is an opportunity to completely overhaul UT’s infrastructure.
Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh
QUESTION
As demanded by residents, should the UT Administration regularise changes carried out in houses allotted by the Chandigarh Housing Board.
Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com
