Delay in laying of 11 kV electricity line gives CHB officials sleepless nights

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 5

Procedural delays in getting a 11 kV high-tension electricity line to supply power to the 2,108 flats at the Sector 63 general self-financing housing scheme, scheduled to be allotted in the coming weeks, is giving sleepless nights to the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) authorities.

The anxiety is all the more profound as the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is expected to hand over keys of the flats for economically weaker section (EWS) and Low Income Group (LIG) in the Sector 63 Housing scheme to the allottees. The construction of around 640 EWS and LIG flats has already been completed.

With eye on the project of housing for all by 2020, the PM is expected to inaugurate the project that otherwise has been marred by delays. “In case the PM’s visit is finalised, a temporary connection will have to be taken from the supply line to facilitate the inauguration”, said sources in the Chandigarh Administration.

These days, the CHB is holding the draw of lots for numbering of the flats.

Giving reason for the delay in getting the electricity connection from Sector 52, officials said out of the two companies which applied against tenders to install the HT line, one did not qualify and the other could not be allotted because of a single tender. Now, again fresh tenders are being called and it may take another three months to install the line.

“Since there is no electricity, people cannot live in these houses. It may take another few months to complete the entire project then only it can be handed over to all allottees.

Project had fallen short of land

In 2004, land spread over 60,000 square yards was allotted to the CHB for the construction of 2,108 flats. But after the revision of layout plans and the relocation of green belts adjoining the UT, land left with the CHB was 48,000 square yards. Earlier, the CHB was short of two acres when it found that over 200 houses at Phase IX had been allotted by GMADA. To construct the specified number of flats, green belts were relocated.