Affordable Housing Gone Awry: The Case of Aastha Apartments in Zirakpur

Abstract

This article highlights how, due to the lack of a strict legal framework and the regulation of construction by government authorities, Zirakpur in Punjab has witnessed the construction of several substandard housing societies. This has resulted in Zirakpur being considered an “ecologically risky” city to reside in. Further, it has given rise to “litigating citizens” who are involved in court cases against builders who have provided poor housing facilities.