Chandigarh Becomes India's First Slum-Free City After Demolishing Shahpur Colony, Reclaims ₹21,000 Cr Worth Land

The Union Territory of Chandigarh has officially achieved the distinction of becoming India's first slum-free city following the completion of demolition work at Shahpur Colony in Sector 38, which was identified as the city's last remaining slum settlement, officials confirmed at the end of September 2025.

From 300 Hutments to Complete Clearance

Shahpur Colony, which spanned approximately four to four-and-a-half acres, was home to nearly 1,000 residents living in around 300 hutments and tenements. The land occupied by the colony had been valued at approximately ₹250 crore. Following the recent urban planning initiatives in Chandigarh, authorities proceeded with the demolition, marking a milestone in the city's journey toward becoming entirely slum-free.

Eligible residents from the colony were rehabilitated under the provisions of the Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme, 2006, and were allotted Economically Weaker Section (EWS) flats in multiple locations including Industrial Area Phase I, Dhanas, Mauli Jagran, Ram Darbar, and Sector 49.

Twelve-Year Campaign Reclaims 520 Acres

Over the past dozen years, Chandigarh has systematically cleared a total of 18 slum colonies across the Union Territory, successfully reclaiming roughly 520 acres of government-owned land. The cumulative value of the reclaimed land has been estimated at nearly ₹21,000 crore. Among the prominent demolitions executed during this period were Janta Colony in Sector 25, which occupied around 10 acres, Sanjay Colony covering six acres, and Adarsh Colony spanning 12 acres, among others.

The clearance drives involved structured phases of demolition, systematic rehabilitation of affected families, and meticulous planning to reassign the freed land for public infrastructure projects, civic amenities, and green spaces in line with broader urban development efforts being undertaken in cities across North India.

Development and Social Concerns

The elimination of slums in Chandigarh is being viewed as a significant step in urban renewal that liberates valuable land in a carefully planned city for potential deployment toward parks, public infrastructure, and housing projects. However, the initiative has also raised questions regarding the complete rehabilitation of displaced residents, the preservation of their livelihoods, and the social and economic integration of rehabilitated families.

Urban planning experts and civil society organisations have noted that while the clearance campaign addresses land use and urban aesthetics, it must be accompanied by ongoing support mechanisms to ensure that former slum dwellers do not face marginalisation in their new living environments.

Potential Blueprint for Urban India

Chandigarh's systematic approach to slum clearance and structured rehabilitation is now being observed by municipal authorities and urban planning bodies in other Indian cities grappling with challenges of informal settlements and acute land scarcity. The model is expected to inform slum rehabilitation projects in Mumbai and similar initiatives including the Ramabai Nagar slum redevelopment programme.

With the completion of the slum clearance objective, Chandigarh's administrative focus is anticipated to shift toward infrastructure enhancement, expansion of green spaces, and ensuring inclusive growth that benefits all segments of the city's population. The city's success in clearing slums may also influence policy discussions around large-scale urban redevelopment projects in other metropolitan areas.

Disclaimer: This news article has been rewritten based on available information and is for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify details independently from official sources before making any decisions based on this information.