Archive · 26 Jul 2026
1971 War Hero Faces Bureaucratic Hurdles for Elevator
Group Captain C.S. Sandhu is a brave war hero who fought in the 1971 war and received the Vir Chakra award.
He is now 88 years old and has a serious back injury that makes it hard for him to climb stairs to his home.
He asked for permission to install an elevator in his building almost a year ago, but the Chandigarh Administration has not yet given him an answer.
He feels that the rules are being applied unfairly and that his request is being delayed on purpose.
The Administration says they are looking into his case and might make an exception because of his medical condition.
Group Captain C.S. Sandhu, a 1971 war hero, is struggling to get permission to install an elevator in his residential building due to a serious back injury.
He applied for permission in September 2025, but the Chandigarh Administration has not yet approved his request.
Sandhu argues that the new lift policy is inconsistently applied and that the zoning restrictions are not clearly specified.
The Administration states that the proposed lift falls outside the zoned area and requires special approval, but they are considering relaxation due to Sandhu's medical condition.
Sandhu feels that the prolonged delay is deliberate harassment and has sought intervention from various authorities without much success.
- Who
- Group Captain C.S. Sandhu (retd), a 1971 war hero and Vir Chakra awardee
- What
- Struggle to obtain permission to install an elevator in his residential building due to health issues
- When
- Application submitted in September 2025, pending as of the article's publication
- Where
- Chandigarh, India
- Why
- Sandhu suffers from a serious back injury and is unable to climb stairs to his fourth-floor flat
War Hero's Perspective
Chandigarh Administration's Perspective
Permission for Elevator Installation
War Hero's Perspective
Group Captain Sandhu has been waiting for nearly a year for permission to install an elevator in his residential building due to his serious health problems and inability to climb stairs.
Chandigarh Administration's Perspective
The Chandigarh Administration has been examining the proposal and is considering forwarding the case to the Finance Secretary for relaxation on medical grounds.
Policy and Zoning Issues
War Hero's Perspective
Sandhu argues that the new lift policy is inconsistently applied, with stricter norms for non-CHB societies compared to CHB flats, and that the zoning restrictions are not clearly specified.
Chandigarh Administration's Perspective
The Administration states that the proposed lift falls outside the zoned area and requires special approval, but they are considering relaxation due to Sandhu's medical condition.
- Name
- Group Captain C.S. Sandhu (retd)
- Age
- 88
- Awards
- Vir Chakra, Vayu Sena Medal
- Conflict
- 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War
- Current Residence
- Jal Vayu Vihar Society, Sector 44, Chandigarh
- Health Condition
- Serious back injury, advised to avoid stairs
- Application Date
- September 2025
- Current Status
- Application pending, awaiting special approval