Chandigarh: Chandigarh took a historic step on Tuesday morning as officials began clearing Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 (West) — the last remaining slum in the city. With nearly 500 hutments being razed, the operation marks the culmination of a multi-phase initiative aimed at making Chandigarh slum-free.
The demolition began at around 7 AM and was led by the Enforcement Wing of the UT Estate Office. Heavy security was deployed to ensure smooth execution of the drive, with nearly 500 police personnel on site to manage the crowd and prevent unrest. Eight teams equipped with JCBs and porcelain machines were mobilised to carry out the task efficiently.
A UT official confirmed that most of the structures have already been removed. “The process is still underway, but the majority of the encroachments have been cleared,” the official said.
Spread across six acres, Shahpur Colony was home to around 2,000 residents. Authorities had previously identified 70 families from the settlement as eligible for relocation under the rehabilitation scheme. These families have been allotted alternative accommodation in small flats by the administration.
In anticipation of possible emergencies, the administration also deployed medical teams, including doctors, paramedics, and ambulances, to the site. Fortunately, the operation has so far proceeded without any major incident.
Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav had reviewed preparations a day earlier, ensuring coordination between departments involved in the clearance. Once demolition concludes, the land will be fenced to prevent future encroachments.
With this drive, Chandigarh has now demolished 19 informal settlements and reclaimed over 500 acres of government land — land that officials estimate to be worth more than Rs 20,000 crore.
Recent eviction drives include the removal of 2,500 structures in Sector 25’s Janta Colony in May and approximately 1,000 jhuggis in Sanjay Colony, Industrial Area Phase I in April.
Tuesday’s operation not only frees up a significant expanse of government land but also cements Chandigarh’s status as the first slum-free city in India — a milestone in the city’s urban planning journey.
