Pawan Kumar Bansal, the former Member of Parliament from Chandigarh and former Union Minister, has filed two rounds of formal objections against the draft amendments to the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031. The objections were submitted to the Chief Architect of the Department of Urban Planning.
The draft amendments were notified on May 22. Bansal's submissions are notable for their directness and strong language.
In his objections, Bansal writes that the proposed amendments will "dismantle that vision piece by piece and erode the very soul of Chandigarh." He adds without qualification that the new model "will serve only the builder-developer lobby."
According to the original story, Bansal's sharpest technical objection targets the proposed increase in maximum building heights from 36 feet to 98 feet 5 inches. This is a jump of nearly 275 per cent across multiple building categories. He argues that this single change will "completely alter" the character of the city.
The proposed height increase is the central issue in Bansal's objections. He argues that raising building heights to nearly 100 feet will fundamentally change the skyline and urban fabric of Chandigarh, which was originally designed by Le Corbusier.
Bansal's objections come at a time when the Chandigarh Administration is considering major changes to the city's development plan. The Master Plan 2031 amendments have drawn attention from various stakeholders, but Bansal's submission stands out for its direct criticism of the administration's approach.
In our view, Bansal's objections raise a valid and serious concern. Chandigarh is one of India's most carefully planned cities, and its design is internationally recognized. Allowing a nearly three-fold increase in building height without proper debate could indeed change the city's character permanently.
The accusation that the amendments serve the builder-developer lobby is a strong one. But it reflects a common fear among residents that rapid, unchecked development often prioritizes profit over public good. The administration should take these objections seriously and ensure that any changes to the Master Plan are made with full transparency and public consultation.
To put it plainly, if the city's soul is at stake, the administration must listen to voices like Bansal's before making irreversible decisions.