Chandigarh, June 20 — In a major step toward its long-standing slum-free city mission, the Chandigarh Administration on Thursday demolished Adarsh Colony, an illegal settlement sprawling across nearly 12 acres in Sectors 53 and 54. The colony, established around two decades ago, housed approximately 1,000 shanties and was home to labourers, hawkers, industrial workers, and domestic helpers.
“This drive is not just about reclaiming land, but about sending a clear message that encroachments will not be tolerated,” said Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav. “The reclaimed land will now be used in line with planned urban development goals.”
The demolition, which began at 6:30 am, continued until 10:30 pm but faced a temporary pause after some residents filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday. Following the court’s dismissal of the petition on Thursday morning, the drive resumed at 2:30 pm and concluded by 5:30 pm.
To maintain order and safety, around 1,000 police personnel were deployed at the site, alongside six ambulances and medical teams.
The land, valued at an estimated ₹480 crore, had been acquired by the Chandigarh Administration in 2002 and is part of the city’s master plan. It will now be integrated into Sector 54, where residential plots are proposed.
With the demolition of Adarsh Colony, only one slum — Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 — remains in the Union Territory. Spread over four acres and comprising roughly 300 shanties, that area is valued at ₹150 crore.
The administration’s anti-encroachment campaign has accelerated in recent months. On May 6, Janta Colony in Sector 25 was razed, freeing 10 acres worth ₹350 crore, where a dispensary, primary school, community centre, and shopping area are now planned. Earlier, on April 24, more than 1,000 makeshift structures were demolished in Sanjay Colony, Industrial Area, Phase 1, reclaiming nearly six acres of government land valued at ₹300 crore.
The slum clearance initiative dates back to the early 2000s. In 2006, the UT launched the Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme, allocating 356 acres — nearly 20% of the city’s vacant land — for constructing 25,728 flats to house over 23,000 families from 18 unauthorised colonies. Though many families were relocated on nominal rent, delays and non-payment have led to mounting dues.
The UT has also razed several other slum colonies over the years, including Colony Numbers 4 and 5, Mazdoor Colony, Pandit Colony, Kuldeep Colony, Nehru Colony, Ambedkar Colony, Kajheri Colony, and Madrasi Colony — together clearing over 165 acres.
To prevent fresh encroachments, junior engineers have now been assigned responsibility over specific sectors and are required to submit weekly reports on encroachment activities.
