The Chandigarh Estate Office has issued a show-cause notice to the prestigious Hotel Taj in Sector 17, Chandigarh, for multiple building violations that contravene the approved building plan. This action comes after similar notices were served to other prominent establishments like Elante and Chandigarh Club.
Details of the Notice and Violations
The notice was issued on November 27, 2025 under the Chandigarh Estate Rules 2007, as amended from time to time. The estate office has directed the hotel management to explain why proceedings shouldn't be initiated against them for the identified violations.
According to the notice, Hotel Taj has made several unauthorized alterations to the building without obtaining prior permission from the Chief Administrator. The specific violations identified include:
Significant structural and planning changes have been made against the sanctioned building plan. The fire alarm main panel room in the basement has been reconfigured, compromising safety systems. Additionally, the corridor behind the fire lift has been illegally converted into office space, and the planning of the staircase adjacent to the fire lift has been altered.
Multiple Unauthorized Conversions
The violations extend to several areas of the hotel property. Parking space has been converted into storage using GI sheets, while the training room, recreation room, and driver's rest room have all undergone unauthorized planning changes.
External modifications have also been flagged as violations. The wing area has been converted into landscape on the right-hand side of the reception's porch area, and the landscape area planning on both sides of the main gate entry has been changed without approval. Furthermore, the color shade of the front elevation has been altered from the approved red sand stone shade to light coffee shade.
Consequences and Deadlines
The Chandigarh Estate Office has given Hotel Taj 15 days to respond to the show-cause notice. The hotel management must appear in person to explain why proceedings under Rules 10 and 14 of the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007, shouldn't be initiated against them.
If the violations are not rectified within two months, the hotel will face serious consequences. The management will be liable to pay charges of Rs. 6 per day per square foot of the area under violation. This penalty will be applied jointly and severally by the transferee, lessee, allottee, and occupier of the site.
In case of failure to remove the building violations within the stipulated timeframe, the estate office will presume that the hotel is not inclined to comply and will initiate proceedings for resumption, cancellation, sealing, or removal of the property under Rule 14 of the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007.
This development marks another significant enforcement action by the Chandigarh Estate Office as it continues its drive against building violations in the city's prominent commercial establishments.
