Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration is planning to bring in private sector participation through the public-private partnership (PPP) model to fast-track the development of the long-pending 153-acre Industrial Area Phase-III.A senior UT official said the administration is actively examining the PPP approach to create modern, high-quality infrastructure in the area. “The UT is encouraging the PPP model for better, updated infrastructure in the industrial area. This was also conveyed in a meeting between UT and senior central govt officials,” the official said.
To enable private participation, the administration is preparing a policy framework and reviewing existing rules to identify restrictive clauses. Revised proposals will be placed before the competent authority soon.Industrial Area Phase-III, near Raipur Kalan and Mauli Jagran, has remained largely undeveloped despite being part of the Chandigarh Urban Complex Plan nearly four decades ago. Though land acquisition was completed in 2003, infrastructure development has been minimal. Recent directives from the Centre to optimise land use have revived the project.While some basic amenities exist, the phase still lacks complete road networks, stormwater drainage and sewerage systems. Since development is starting almost entirely from scratch, the administration is also finalising liberal planning norms specific to Phase-III. These norms are expected to be significantly more relaxed than those in Phases I and II.According to officials, the proposed floor area ratio (FAR) for Phase-III is nearly three times higher than what is currently permitted in the existing industrial phases. Additional relaxations in building height, coverage and related parameters are also under consideration to attract industry.Phase-III is planned as a major warehousing and services hub, leveraging its proximity to the railway station. Nearly one-third of the area is earmarked for warehousing. Industrial plotted sites account for only about 10% of the land, while nearly 80% is dedicated to green spaces, parking, roads and other support infrastructure, as per the Chandigarh Master Plan.Once the new planning norms are approved, the estate office will begin auctioning plots on a freehold basis. An earlier attempt to auction around 20 plots was stalled due to ongoing changes in norms.The move is part of broader industrial reforms under way in Chandigarh, including possible FAR increases and bylaw relaxations in Phases I and II, where FAR is currently around 0.75 and may be revised to remain competitive with Mohali and Panchkula.Officials said these steps are aimed at boosting industrial activity, attracting investment and transforming Phase-III into a modern industrial and warehousing destination.BOX: Industrial Area Phase-III — Key Details(As per Chandigarh Master Plan 2031)Land use distributionIndustrial plots: 14.65 acresSAIL steel stockyard: 10 acresWarehousing zone: 45 acresSTP area: 0.91 acreRoads & parking: 43.97 acresReserved / open spaces: 36.44 acresTotal area: 153 acresLocation HighlightsSituated near Raipur Kalan and Mauli JagranTriangular layout bordered by:Link road to Mauli Jagran/Raipur KalanRoute No. 2 (north)Panchkula/UT boundaryAmbala–Chandigarh railway line (southwest)Accessible via Railway Station Road from Daria village Raipur Kalan village falls within Phase-III limits
