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Chandigarh: The Punjab government has notified new unified building bylaws, permitting stilt-plus-four floors in all newly developed residential areas across urban Punjab. This move is expected to reshape the state’s urban housing landscape significantly.
The bylaws, approved by the Punjab Cabinet on October 28, have now come into force following formal notification.
Under the new rules, residential plots up to 200 square yards can be developed on roads with a minimum width of 30 feet, while plots above 200 square yards will require a minimum road width of 40 feet.
In existing and already planned urban areas, construction will be limited to stilt-plus-three floors, with the maximum permissible building height increased from 11 metres to 13 metres.
Apartment Act Implementation Cleared
The notification clears the way for the state to implement the Apartment Act, a long-pending reform that will allow buyers to purchase individual floors in residential buildings. At present, land subdivision is not permitted in Punjab, restricting the formal sale of independent floors.
Officials said the new bylaws were essential to legally enable vertical housing and floor-wise ownership, particularly in fast-growing cities.
Restricted to New Urban Developments
Initially, the government had proposed extending the stilt-plus-four provision across all urban areas. However, following stakeholder feedback, the policy was restricted to newly constructed licensed colonies and sectors in urban estates to prevent overburdening existing civic infrastructure, such as roads, sewerage, water supply, and parking.
The decision is expected to have a significant impact on cities including Mohali, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar, where demand for affordable and mid-segment housing continues to rise.
Criticism from Planners and Architects
The move has drawn criticism from town planners and architects, who warn that allowing higher floor-area ratios could lead to unplanned densification, traffic congestion, parking shortages and pressure on civic amenities if not backed by strict enforcement and infrastructure upgrades.
Experts have cautioned that without parallel investments in urban services, the policy could create long-term planning challenges.
Implications of the New Bylaws
1. Boost to Vertical Housing and Affordability
The policy is likely to increase housing supply and make floor-wise ownership legally viable, potentially improving affordability in high-demand urban pockets.
2. Big Push for Real Estate Development
Builders and developers are expected to benefit, particularly in newly licensed colonies, as vertical construction improves project viability.
3. Infrastructure Stress a Key Risk
Even in new sectors, higher density could strain roads, parking, water and sewage systems unless civic infrastructure keeps pace.
4. Legal Framework for Floor Ownership
Implementation of the Apartment Act could bring greater transparency, formal registration and clarity to Punjab’s fragmented housing market.
5. Enforcement Will Be Crucial
Urban experts stress that the success of the policy will depend on strict adherence to road-width norms, parking provisions and safety regulations. Overall, while the new bylaws mark a significant shift towards vertical urban growth in Punjab, their long-term success will hinge on balanced planning, enforcement and infrastructure readiness.
