CHANDIGARH, Dec. 11 -- Acting on the directions of UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has begun the process of dividing a portion of land in Sector 53 into two pockets, with one proposed to be auctioned to a private developer. The move has triggered concerns among residents' bodies, who say it violates the city's master plan and undermines CHB's core mandate.

In a letter sent on December 9 to the UT chief architect, CHB chief executive officer Pardeep Kumar stated that Sector 53 is spread over around 21 acres, of which 11 acres have been earmarked for a general housing scheme for UT employees. He has sought zoning details for the remaining land so that approval can be obtained to auction approximatel...