The Chief Secretary of Chandigarh announced that the Chandigarh Housing Board's (CHB) unused land will be developed to address the city's housing demand, in line with the Master Plan and a Supreme Court heritage decree. Speaking at the new UT Secretariat, he also reviewed infrastructure and education projects, directing the creation of a skill university or centre of excellence in Sarangpur. He urged swift adoption of UGC 2018 regulations, faster resolution of service matters, and strict monitoring of PM-USHA housing projects. Emphasising modern, employment-oriented education, he called for restoring abolished faculty posts and strengthening industry-academia linkages, aligning housing and education reforms for Chandigarh's holistic growth.
Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Chandigarh declared that the CHB's idle land will be allocated to meet housing demand and will be developed in strict compliance with the Master Plan and a heritage decree issued by the Supreme Court of India. He addressed members of the media at the new UT secretariat in Sector 9, where he also chaired a meeting reviewing progress of major government and aided-college projects, as well as the performance of higher and technical education institutions.
During the session, the Chief Secretary instructed that a new skill university or centre of excellence be established in Sarangpur to bolster the region's education infrastructure. He further directed the prompt resolution of pending service-related cases and called for the swift adoption of the UGC regulations framed in 2018, after obtaining necessary departmental concurrence. In addition, he underscored the importance of close monitoring of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Housing Scheme (PM-USHA) projects to ensure timely completion and effective utilisation of government grants.
The Chief Secretary reiterated the administration's commitment to enhancing higher education by offering employment-oriented and modern courses, strengthening the skill-development department, and forging industry linkages to expand apprenticeship and internship opportunities. He also called for the restoration of abolished faculty posts so as to preserve academic standards and maintain Chandigarh's standing as a model for quality and equitable higher education.
By repurposing CHB's dormant land holdings in accordance with established urban planning and heritage guidelines, the Chandigarh administration has taken a decisive step towards alleviating housing shortages in the city. The announcement also signals a broader governance agenda that couples infrastructural reform with educational strengthening and service accountability. If implemented effectively, this approach could ensure that both housing needs and skill-development imperatives are addressed in tandem, thereby reinforcing Chandigarh's reputation for holistic urban and academic governance.
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