The Union Territory of Chandigarh has achieved a historic urban development milestone, officially declaring itself India’s first slum-free city. The announcement came after the final demolition of Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 (West) on September 30, 2025.
The clearance of Shahpur Colony, the last remaining unauthorized settlement on government land, marks the culmination of a decade-long drive by the Chandigarh Administration to eliminate slums and rehabilitate eligible residents under the Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme, 2006.
Shahpur Colony, which was spread over approximately 4.5 acres of valuable government land (valued at around ₹250 crore), comprised about 300 huts and tenements housing nearly 1,000 residents.
“With the removal of all unauthorized colonies from government land and the successful implementation of large-scale rehabilitation measures, the city has completed the final phase of its long-standing slum eradication initiative,” said Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav.
The demolition drive was executed after meticulous planning, ensuring that all eligible families were screened and allotted Economically Weaker Section (EWS) flats in various sectors, including Dhanas, Mauli Jagran, and Ram Darbar.
The city’s mission to become slum-free began in the early 2000s and gained significant momentum over the past decade. The administration has successfully cleared 18 slum colonies in total, reclaiming nearly 520 acres of prime public land valued at an estimated ₹21,000 crore.
Key clearances leading up to this milestone included:
- Janta Colony in Sector 25, the city’s largest slum cluster.
- Adarsh Colony in Sector 54.
- Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area Phase I.
The reclaimed land is slated for development projects in line with the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031, which aims to ensure the “City Beautiful” adheres to the original design principles of architect Le Corbusier.
While the milestone is being celebrated as a major step in urban renewal, the administration stressed that the focus remains on ensuring a dignified transition for the former residents. The city’s strategy, which combines strategic demolition with mass rehabilitation, is now being studied as a potential blueprint for other major Indian cities grappling with informal settlements.
The achievement repositions Chandigarh, the meticulously planned capital of Punjab and Haryana, as a leader in India’s journey toward inclusive and sustainable urban development.
