A major demolition drive was carried out at the Elante Mall by the Estate Office to remove unauthorised construction. They said that the drive was carried out to restore compliance with the sanctioned building plans.
During the physical inspection conducted on August 8, 2025, multiple violations were detected on the site, made without prior approval of the competent authority. Accordingly, a show-cause notice was issued to the lessee, and after providing proper and sufficient opportunity of hearing, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (East), exercising the powers of Estate Officer, passed the demolition orders. Consequently, the demolition and sealing operation was scheduled and executed on November 2, 2025, in accordance with the approved directions.
Major violations observed against the approved building completion plan which included conversion of approximately 22,000 sq ft area of parking into landscaping/greenery. Also, operation of an open café/restaurant with a temporary shed and seating arrangement on the right-hand side of Hyatt Regency without approval (Area: 3,000 sq ft) was found.
Among other violations were running of non-sanctioned activities such as staff mess, washrooms, and a day care centre in the basement (area: 3,000 sq ft), provision of IRC fabric with iron frame support for storage on the right-hand side of the retail mall (area: 500 sq ft), unauthorised elevation and temporary iron structure erected on the rear side of Hyatt Regency near the Anita Dongre shop (area: 850 sq ft).
A temporary shed with tensile fabric installed at the valet parking entry (area: 550 sq ft) was also found along with a change in internal planning of Hyatt Regency by converting a portion into a shop/store under the name of Anita Dongre on the rear side (area: 1,800 sq ft).
The team also found misuse of parking area P21 on the rear side of Hyatt Regency as a storage facility with a temporary shed and brick wall (area: 3,500 sq ft) and installation of a Hamleys slide connecting the third and seconnd floors without prior approval (area: 40 sq ft).
Provision of temporary wooden storage in Basement 2 against completion plan (area: 300 sq ft) was also found.
The Estate Office emphasised that all constructions and modifications on leasehold or freehold properties must strictly conform to the approved building plans and the provisions of the Capital of Punjab (Development & Regulation) Act, 1952, and the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007. Unauthorised alterations not only violate planning norms but also compromise public safety and the architectural discipline of the city, it was said.
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During the demolition drive, illegal structures and temporary installations were dismantled to restore the premises to its sanctioned layout.
