Chandigarh, Sept. 12 -- Amid growing concern over the high rates of Chandigarh Housing Board's recently proposed projects, UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Thursday directed the board to make its Sector 53 scheme, which is set for a Diwali launch, more affordable.

The tentative cost of a three-bedroom flat in Sector 53 is around Rs.2.30 crore while that of a two-bedroom unit is Rs.1.97 crore, and an EWS flat is Rs.74 lakh.

Chairing a meeting at the CHB office in Sector 9, Kataria asked officials to revise the pricing of flats under the Sector 53 scheme and increase their number to make the project more cost-friendly. He also directed officials to reserve more flats for UT employees in Sector 54 scheme and consider offering plots,...