In a decisive move to eliminate unauthorized settlements, the Chandigarh Administration commenced the demolition of Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area Phase 1 at 6 am today.
Spanning approximately 6 acres, the colony comprised around 1,000 informal dwellings. This action follows the dismissal of a resident-filed petition by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which sought to halt the demolition.
Prior to the demolition, authorities organized a final documentation camp within the colony, offering residents a last opportunity to submit necessary paperwork for rehabilitation under the central government’s affordable rental housing scheme. However, officials confirmed that none of the submissions met the eligibility criteria after thorough scrutiny.
In anticipation of the demolition, some families began vacating and removing their belongings, while others staged protests opposing the action. To maintain order during the operation, Chandigarh Police deployed 700 personnel around the area.
Following this operation, the administration will shift its focus to Janta Colony in Sector 25, the city’s largest slum area, which spans 10 acres and houses approximately 2,500 shanties-home to more than 10,000 people. The government land, valued at around Rs 350 crore, has been earmarked for essential public infrastructure, including a dispensary, school, community centre, and shopping complex.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to reclaim government land and repurpose it for public infrastructure projects. In May 2022, the demolition of Colony Number 4 allowed the administration to recover 65 acres of land valued at nearly Rs 2,000 crore. Subsequently, eviction notices were issued to residents of Sanjay Colony and Janta Colony, labeling their settlements as unauthorized. Petitions challenging these notices led to a temporary stay by the high court, which instructed the administration to first hear the grievances of affected residents. The administration complied by conducting hearings with individuals from both colonies before proceeding.
