Slum-free Chandigarh: Adarsh Colony to be demolished on June 19

The City Beautiful is all set to become the first slum-free city of the country soon. The UT Estate Office has decided to demolish Adrash Colony, the second last slum of the city, on June 19.

The office had earlier asked the occupants of nearly 1,000 jhuggis in the slum to vacate the government land.

According to officials, after razing Adrash Colony in Sector 54 to the ground, all shanties would be removed from the last slum of the city — Shahpur Colony — soon after.

On May 6, the Administration removed nearly 2,500 structures at Janta Colony in Sector 25 and reclaimed about 10 acres of government land worth Rs 350 crore. It was the largest slum of the city and home to over 10,000 people. The land has been earmarked for a dispensary, primary school, community centre and a shopping area.

On April 23, the UT Administration had demolished nearly 1,000 jhuggis in Sanjay Colony, Industrial Area, Phase I, and reclaimed 6 acres of government land worth Rs 250 crore.

The Administration had tried to remove both colonies two years ago, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the demolition. After the stay was vacated recently, the Administration got the slums vacated.

Out of 19 major slums in the city, the UT Administration has demolished 17 colonies and reclaimed over 500 acres of land from illegal occupants.

Chandigarh was planned to be a slum-free city by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. However, a number of slum colonies came up in various parts of the city with the passage of time.

Chandigarh