CHANDIGARH, Sept 27: Despite lack of infrastructure in sectors 48 and 49, construction activity is in a full swing here.In 1994, land in these sectors was allotted to 56 societies having around 2,750 members. Almost all the societies have started construction work; some have even completed the buildings.Site engineer for one of the societies, P.R. Gupta, told Newsline that the Chandigarh Housing Board charged Rs 500 per square yard as land cost and Rs 250 per square yard as development charges. "The four instalments have been paid and we are paying the annual lease," he said.Some societies have laid sewerage and storm water pipes on the plots allotted to them, but regarding electricity and water connections, members say: "We are not clear about these. In the absence of these basic amenities, we can't shift into our houses."According to a notification issued by the UT Finance Secretary on May 28, 1991, the Chandigarh Administration agreed to allot land on chunk basis to Chandigarh Housing Board for allotment to societies on 99-year leasehold. The allotted land was to be planned in consultation with the chief architect and secretary, Architecture Department, and developed by the Engineering Department.On May 17, 1994, Finance Secretary wrote in a letter that the Engineering Department would carry out internal development, for which the Chandigarh Housing Board would deposit Rs 210 per square yard with the Administration.Interestingly, allotment letters issued by the CHB to societies stated that provision of facilities and estate services within the land would be the societies' responsibility. The Board made societies responsible for maintenance of common areas, services and for collecting and depositing individual water and electricity charges, sources said.On January 19, in a meeting between members of societies and the Adviser to the UT Administrator, it was indicated that individual water and electricity connections would be given to members, but in this regard no concrete step has been taken so far, added sources.Newsline's on-the-spot survey of the sectors revealed roads were virtually nonexistent and while streetlights have been installed, they are not lit at night. Water pipes laid by the MC leak at several places, creating large stagnant ponds.When contacted, officials agreed that as the sectors will be densely populated, pressure on the infrastructure would be high, but claimed that "things will be taken care of since planning is still in the offing". UT Chief Architect, Sarabjeet Singh disclosed: "Infrastructure in these sectors will be augmented accordingly in the planning stage itself. Efforts for this are already on."Most of the society members are financially strained as they are paying rent as well as instalments on construction loans raised from financial institutions. It is estimated that cooperative housing society member are losing Rs 8,000 per month, added G.S Chahal, a society member.
