1 day ago
Chandigarh’s Unregistered PGs Raise Safety and Oversight Concerns
Many students and young workers in Chandigarh live in paying guest homes, or PGs.
A newspaper check found some PGs that were not listed in the records it could verify.
Residents described crowded rooms, too few washrooms, and concerns about food.
Some women said they had to return by set times.
People also complained about security deposits being reduced without clear reasons or returned late.
A fire at an unregistered PG in 2020 killed three young women and injured two others.
In September 2026, a court charged the owner and operator with allegedly causing deaths through negligence.
Chandigarh’s deputy commissioner said officials planned to improve the rules and carry out inspections.
A ground-level check in Sectors 15, 36 and 37 found PGs that did not appear in official records available for verification.
Residents described overcrowded rooms and shared washrooms; some rooms reportedly fell below the policy’s 50-square-foot minimum per paying guest.
Occupants also reported food hygiene concerns, movement restrictions, and unclear or delayed security-deposit refunds.
Three young women died and two others were injured in a February 2020 fire at an unregistered Sector 32-D PG; a court framed negligence charges in September 2026.
Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said officials were working to improve regulations and would conduct inspections and take action against violations.
- Who
- Students and young professionals living in Chandigarh PGs; Chandigarh officials, including Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav.
- What
- A report found concerns about unregistered and overcrowded PGs, conditions, and enforcement of regulations.
- Where
- Chandigarh, including Sectors 15, 36, 37 and the Sector 32-D fire site.
- When
- The ground-level check was reported in the article; it also cites a February 2020 fire and charges framed in September 2026.
- Why
- The article examines whether PG regulations are being followed and enforced, amid resident complaints and a fatal fire.
Residents’ Concerns
Administration’s Response
Conditions and oversight
Residents’ Concerns
Residents and the report raised concerns about unregistered PGs, overcrowding, sanitation, food, movement restrictions, and security deposits.
Administration’s Response
Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said officials were working to make regulations more effective and practical, and that inspections and action against misuse would follow.
Public registration information
Residents’ Concerns
The report said the administration’s online portals did not reveal a comprehensive, updated public directory, despite a policy provision for publishing a register.
Administration’s Response
The administration’s stated response was that it was working to improve and modify the existing regulations; the article did not specify a publication timeline for an updated directory.
Key facts
- Areas checked
- Sectors 15, 36 and 37
- Minimum room area cited
- 50 square feet of usable area per paying guest
- Reported washroom sharing
- Residents said six to seven girls shared one washroom in a Sector 37-D PG; occupants in a Sector 15 PG also reported six people sharing one washroom.
- Sector 32-D fire
- In February 2020, three young women died and two others were injured.
- Court action
- In September 2026, a Chandigarh court framed charges under Section 304-A of the IPC against the house owner and PG operator.
- Policy provision
- Clause 11 provides for maintaining a register and making it available on the Chandigarh Administration website.
- Official response
- Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said regulations would be improved and inspections carried out.
Quotes
PG operator
An operator questioned by The Indian Express in Sector 37-D.
“Why should we provide you with the information? We are running various PGs”
indianexpress.com
Nishant Kumar Yadav
Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner.
“We are working towards improving and modifying the existing PG regulations to make them more effective and practical. Inspections would be carried out and action taken against those misusing or exploiting the regulations.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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