Chandigarh: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) of having failed to solve the housing needs of the people of this Union Territory and promised a "comprehensive housing policy" if National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is voted to power after the Lok Sabha polls.
"The Congress did not come up with any policy during its five year rule which would have taken care of the housing needs of the people of Chandigarh," former BJP MP and party candidate from Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, Satya Pal Jain said addressing a press conference.
Wooing the people ahead of the parliamentary polls, Jain said if NDA is voted to power at the Centre, "we will come up with a comprehensive housing policy which will take care of present and future needs. We will also allow people to construct an additional floor, both in the residential and commercial areas where only two-storeyed or one-storeyed structure exists at present".
"French designer Le Corbuiser had five decades back planned this city for a population of 3-4 lakh. But now, Chandigarh's population has crossed 10 lakh and housing needs have increased," he said.
He said an expert committee will be constituted which would lay the guidelines and precautions which may be required to be taken for constructing an additional floor.
Asked if allowing an extra floor in the commercial and residential complexes will play havoc with city's basic character as Chandigarh is known for being the most planned city in India.
Jain reasoned that already four-storeyed houses had come up in many Sectors in the Union Territory including 56, 48, 49 and 50.
"If Government does not have any problem with multi-storeyed houses in some sectors, why should there be an objection for adding just one floor in other sectors," he argued. He alleged that the UPA and Congress MP from Chandigarh, Pawan Kumar Bansal, had not taken any concerete steps to solve the problems faced by the city residents.
"They never made any concrete policy and have always believed in adhocism while dealing with the problems of the city residents," he alleged.
Jain also said that parking of vehicles, both in the commercial and residential areas was emerging as a major problem.
He promised that if elected from Chandigarh, he would get multi-storeyed and underground parking lots constructed.
Expressing concern over the decline in poll percentage in the city during the past one decade, Jain urged the people to come out and exercise their franchise.
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