Janta Colony Demolition Today: UT Admn Set to Raze Chandigarh’s Largest Slum Worth ₹350 Crore

Janta Colony Demolition Today : In a historic and controversial move, the Chandigarh Administration is set to demolish Janta Colony in Sector 25 today. This colony—regarded as the city’s largest illegal slum—spreads over 10 acres of prime land valued at approximately ₹350 crore. The UT Estate Office has chalked out an extensive action plan to clear the area as part of its ongoing mission to make Chandigarh a slum-free and planned urban city.

Janta Colony Demolition Today: Massive Eviction Drive Underway

Nearly 2,500 makeshift houses will be flattened in what is being called the biggest anti-encroachment drive of recent years. The colony, home to over 10,000 people, will officially cease to exist after today’s drive. The land has been earmarked for civic infrastructure projects, including a dispensary, primary school, community centre, and a local shopping complex.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer Nishant Kumar Yadav held a high-level meeting yesterday to review final preparations. Senior officials from the Police Department, Municipal Corporation, and various administrative wings attended the meeting.

Safety, Security, and Compliance Ensured

To ensure a peaceful and legally compliant demolition, the UT Administration has formed 10 operational teams. Over 1,500 police personnel will be deployed at the site to manage law and order. In addition, fire tenders and ambulances will be on standby to respond to emergencies.

“The demolition is part of our larger vision for lawful urban development. We aim to reclaim public land and utilize it for planned civic and infrastructural growth,” said Yadav in an official statement.

Public Notice and Response

The Estate Office had earlier issued a public notice, giving residents a one-week window to vacate the premises. Many families have already vacated their homes, while others are still in the process of removing their belongings. However, several dwellers expressed dissatisfaction, claiming they had valid documents but were still declared ineligible for rehabilitation.

Past Demolitions and Legal Hurdles

This isn’t the first time the administration has attempted to remove Janta Colony. A similar move two years ago was stayed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a stay which was only recently lifted. The Administration had previously razed Colony No. 4 in 2022, reclaiming 65 acres worth nearly ₹2,000 crore. In 2021, slum dwellers from tin-shed colonies were successfully relocated to Sectors 52 and 56.

Just last month, on April 23, the Estate Office reclaimed 6 acres of land by demolishing parts of Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area, Phase I.

Despite reclaiming large tracts of land in past drives—such as Colony No. 5, Mazdoor Colony, Nehru Colony, and others—some reclaimed areas remain undeveloped to date, raising concerns about follow-through.

What’s Next for the Land and the People?

As the bulldozers move in, one question looms large—what happens next for the thousands of people being displaced?

Though the Administration insists on following legal protocol and providing rehabilitation where due, critics argue that more transparency is needed in assessing the eligibility of affected families. Meanwhile, civil society groups are urging the government to provide immediate relief and alternative housing.

The demolition of Janta Colony marks a significant turning point in Chandigarh’s urban planning narrative. While the Administration pushes for a cleaner, planned city, the humanitarian cost of such drastic measures cannot be ignored. What remains to be seen is whether the vacated land will truly serve its intended public purpose—or become yet another vacant patch waiting for development.