In Chandigarh, where the demand for residential land is exceptionally high, only 134 residential plots are currently unoccupied, according to recent statistics released by the Chandigarh Administration.
Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav noted that these vacant plots vary in size, ranging from one marla (approximately 25 square yards) up to one acre. “The city comprises around 24,035 residential plots, with 134 remaining unoccupied,” Yadav stated, revealing plans to auction these plots in phases over the next few years.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that this staggered auction approach aims to spread out government revenue instead of collecting it all at once. “We are implementing a phased auction strategy. Our goal is not to realize all the revenue simultaneously,” he explained.
The distribution of these vacant plots is not uniform across the sectors. Sector 40 holds the highest concentration, with 38 empty residential plots, followed by Sector 38, which has 30 unoccupied sites. Together, these two sectors account for 68 of the 134 vacant plots, representing more than half of the total identified in the city.
Sector 37 has 12 vacant plots, while Sector 44 features nine. Sector 19 contains seven unoccupied sites, and Sectors 15, 23, 33, and 46 have five each. Sectors 20 and 21 also have four vacant plots each. At the lower end, Sectors 8, 27, 28, and 35 each have two vacant sites, while Sectors 30 and 32 have one apiece. The remaining plots are distributed among 13 additional sectors.
With only 134 vacant plots out of approximately 24,035 residential sites, the available inventory constitutes less than one percent of the city’s residential land. The acute scarcity of land in Chandigarh is reflected in its property values, particularly in the original sectors, which command significantly higher prices.
As per the latest Collector Rates, effective from April 1, 2026, residential land in Sectors 1–12 is valued at Rs 2.37 lakh per square yard, while Sectors 14–37 are rated at Rs 1.81 lakh per square yard, and properties in Sector 38 and beyond are priced at Rs 1.33 lakh per square yard. However, actual market prices are considerably higher and fluctuate based on sector, location, and property condition. For example, a two-kanal residential plot in the prime Sectors 1–12 has a Collector Rate of nearly Rs 23.7 crore, with market values often exceeding this figure.
The high demand for residential properties was highlighted in a recent auction where a one-kanal house in Sector 21 sold for Rs 18.8 crore in June. Kamaljit Singh Panchhi, President of the Property Consultant Association in Chandigarh, pointed out that the limited availability of residential land has driven up prices, leaving most plots either developed or retained by their owners.
Panchhi also mentioned that beliefs and superstitions could influence some owners, with certain families hesitant to buy or build on specific plots due to concerns related to direction, shape, location, or Vaastu principles. “In some cases, individual preferences regarding property direction or past experiences may discourage buyers, but these factors are not the primary reasons for the overall number of vacant plots,” he clarified.
He emphasized the significance of the limited inventory for potential buyers, noting that in a city like Chandigarh, where new residential plots are nearly impossible to create, each vacant plot holds substantial value. “If these plots are auctioned, they are likely to attract considerable interest, especially from those seeking land within the original planned city,” he concluded.
Hina Rohtaki, a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, covers the Chandigarh Administration, civic matters, and the Union Territory’s unique political status. With over a decade of experience in journalism, she is known for her investigative work on governance and administrative issues.
Her accolades include the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, presented to her by the President of India in January 2020, as well as the Jethmalani Prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 for her impactful reporting on the challenges faced by Covid widows. Rohtaki’s core focus revolves around the administrative framework of Chandigarh, financial management, and urban development projects.
Her recent articles delve into themes of government accountability, administrative spending, and civic trends, highlighting issues such as excessive fuel expenses for senior officials and concerns regarding the management of public funds in Chandigarh.
