Chandigarh, November 2 — In its first major enforcement action against one of the largest commercial hubs in the tricity, the Chandigarh administration will on Sunday carry out demolition and sealing of unauthorised structures inside Nexus Elante Mall for violations of approved building plans.
The move follows the mall management’s failure to comply with a two-month deadline to remove illegal alterations flagged during an official inspection in August.
Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav confirmed that the action would begin around 10 am. “A team of officials had inspected the premises on August 8 and found that the mall had altered the building without prior approval from the chief administrator,” he said. “Major violations included conversion of about 22,000 square feet of parking into landscaping, operation of an open café in 3,000 square feet without plan approval, and unauthorised use of another 3,000 square feet in the basement for a staff mess, day-care centre, and washrooms.”
Following the inspection, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) had issued a detailed show-cause notice on September 3, listing 10 violations. The notice directed the mall’s allottee, lessee, and occupier to remove the irregularities within two months and warned of daily penalty charges of ₹8 per square foot for the area under violation. Failure to comply, it said, would result in sealing, removal, or cancellation of the allotment.
DC Yadav said, “After providing proper and sufficient hearing to the mall authorities, the administration has decided to proceed with the demolition and sealing operation as per law.”
The August inspection report cited several deviations from the approved building plan, including iron and tensile structures added to the rear side of the hotel, alterations in the Hyatt Regency’s layout to create an unauthorised shop, and temporary sheds at the valet parking entry. Additionally, parking spaces had been converted into green landscaping areas, while storage facilities and temporary wooden partitions were found in the basement.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Nexus Elante Mall said the management was “fully cooperating with the authorities” and had “initiated corrective measures in line with the administration’s directives.” The spokesperson added, “We remain committed to adhering to all applicable regulations and ensuring full compliance at the earliest.”
Sources said mall officials began hurriedly removing some of the identified violations late Saturday evening after receiving confirmation of the demolition schedule. However, officials maintained that the action would go ahead as planned unless full compliance was verified on site.
Opened in 2013, Nexus Elante Mall is among the largest shopping and entertainment destinations in Chandigarh, housing international brands, restaurants, and the Hyatt Regency hotel.
The administration’s action comes amid a wider citywide demolition drive targeting illegal constructions. Last month, authorities razed structures in Shahpur Colony, Sector 38 (West), marking the final phase of Chandigarh’s “slum-free” initiative.
