While the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) was formed with an aim to uplift the standard and quality of living for the economically weaker sections and the middle class, its progress till date leaves a lot to be desired. Even with a work force of nearly 525, the housing projects that started nearly three years ago are not remotely close to completion.

At present, the board is working on housing schemes in Sectors 49, 38 and 63. While the construction work for the Sector 63 scheme has not commenced even after almost a year of the draw, the progress at Sector 38 and 49 has been marked by delay in allotment for over a year.

A survey of the housing projects for different categories by CHB in Sector 38 W, 49 and 63 reveals that not even a single allottee has been able to take over the units till date.

Scheme for 688 one-room flats for the economically weaker sections in Sector 38 (W) and Sector 49 was floated in January, 2006. The construction work that commenced during September 2007, the authorities claim, is likely to be completed by July, 2009.

The construction work on 208 units of two-bedroom flats in Sector 49 is stalled for the moment. “No work has been carried out since six months due to some dispute between two developers. The tender for the flooring will be floated again,” said a CHB official. According to the contractual agreement, work on the project was to commence on June 19, 2006 and the scheduled date of completion was slated for January 31, 2008, at an agreed amount of Rs 15.68 crore.