The Punjab Government is actively considering a proposal to allow the construction of stilt plus four floors in urban areas, similar to the building norms recently adopted by Haryana. According to The Tribune The move could significantly reshape the state’s urban skyline and offer a potential boost to the real estate sector, but not without sparking concerns over infrastructure strain and civic management.
Proposal Under Review by Housing Department
Sources from the Punjab Housing and Urban Development Department confirmed that a formal proposal has been prepared and is currently under review. A high-level meeting has been held to examine the implications, and the draft policy is likely to be presented before the state cabinet for final approval.
The decision is seen as an effort to streamline regulations across the Tricity region — Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula — where disparities in floor norms have long been a point of contention among developers and residents alike.
While Chandigarh remains under central jurisdiction with strict building codes, Haryana recently allowed stilt plus four floors in residential plots up to 300 square yards. This has led to increased development activity in Panchkula, prompting similar demands in Mohali and other Punjab cities.
What the Norm Change Means
Allowing stilt plus four floors means buildings can have four residential units above a ground-level stilt used for parking. Currently, most urban local bodies in Punjab, including Mohali and Ludhiana, permit up to stilt plus three floors.
Developers and property owners argue that permitting one additional floor would unlock greater value from limited urban land, accommodate rising population density, and boost economic activity in the construction sector. Many also view it as a way to harmonise real estate rules across the region, especially in the rapidly urbanising suburbs around Chandigarh.
Real Estate Sector Welcomes the Move
Real estate players have welcomed the potential policy shift. According to several builders in Mohali and Zirakpur, the stilt plus four norm would bring regulatory parity and help meet growing housing demands. They argue that with better design controls and sufficient infrastructure planning, the additional floor will not necessarily burden civic amenities.
However, developers also seek clarity on parking provisions, fire safety regulations, and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) limits, which are expected to be detailed in the final policy document.
Residents Raise Infrastructure Concerns
The proposal has also raised concerns among residents and urban planners, who warn of unchecked vertical growth in areas already grappling with traffic congestion, water scarcity, and poor waste management systems.
Resident welfare associations in sectors of Mohali and Ludhiana have expressed reservations, stating that existing civic infrastructure is inadequate to support taller buildings. They fear the change could lead to overcrowding and strain on essential services like sewage, water supply, and parking.
Urban planning experts have called for a more holistic approach, urging the government to simultaneously invest in roads, drainage systems, and public amenities if it wants to sustainably accommodate vertical expansion.
Next Steps
The Punjab Government is expected to hold wider consultations with stakeholders, including municipal corporations, urban planning bodies, developers, and citizen groups, before finalising the new policy. If cleared by the cabinet, amendments to local building bylaws would follow, enabling the new norms to be legally implemented.
While there is no official timeline yet, the decision is likely to be made before the end of the year, possibly giving developers the green light by early 2026.
Photo Source: The Tribune
