Foundation Stone Laid for Office and Residential Complex of Principal Directorate of Defence Estates, Western Command & Defence Estates Office, Chandigarh Circle

Chandigarh/Panchkula, September 23, 2025: The foundation stone for the construction of the office complex of the Principal Directorate of Defence Estates (PDDE), Western Command, and Defence Estates Office, Chandigarh Circle, was laid on Tuesday, at Chandimandir, Panchkula by Sailendra Nath Gupta, IDSE, Director General of Defence Estates (DGDE). The ceremony was attended by Shobha Gupta, IDSE, Principal Director, Defence Estates (PDDE), Western Command. The chief guest also unveiled the inauguration plaque.

Following the foundation stone ceremony, senior officials from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which is executing this project on 4.14 acres of land at an estimated cost of approximately ₹50 crores, gave a detailed presentation. The office building, residential complex, and transit accommodation have been planned keeping in view all norms of urban planning and sustainability. This ambitious project will address the critical infrastructure deficit for Defence Estates staff of the Western Command, curb high rental costs, and enhance operational productivity, welfare, and quality of life. The project is expected to be completed within two years.

The Principal Directorate of Defence Estates, Western Command, is responsible for defence land management and cantonment administration in the strategically vital and sensitive Western Command for the Armed Forces. Its jurisdiction extends over Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jammu & Kashmir. This new infrastructure will aid in conducting Defence Estates functions across all these regions even more effectively.

In his address, DGDE Sailendra Nath Gupta thanked the Ministry of Defence and the Headquarters of Western Command of the Army for recognizing the need for this essential infrastructure and providing timely approvals. He congratulated the PDDE, Western Command, and her entire team, whose persistent hard work over the past four years has led to this successful outcome. He stated that this would ensure improved functioning and peak coordination among officers and staff. He emphasized that this project would not only address current challenges but also create a robust foundation for future requirements.

Principal Director Shobha Gupta, highlighting the occasion, mentioned that after the relocation from Shimla to Chandigarh, the department had been functioning from temporary offices at various locations for nearly four decades. Although currently housed in the Kendriya Sadan, she pointed out the lack of adequate space for efficient work execution. She shared the welcome news that the office has now been allocated a 4-acre plot, which will enable the integration of all units into a single campus. This change, she said, will prove extremely significant and beneficial for office procedures and employee efficiency. She expressed deep satisfaction at the notable improvement in work efficiency expected from this new facility.

Marking the auspicious occasion and demonstrating a commitment to environmental conservation, the officers also conducted a tree plantation drive. The significant event was attended by officers from the Army, Defence Accounts, and Defence Estates Department, staff of the Principal Directorate and Defence Estates Office Chandigarh, and senior officials from the Central Public Works Department. All the attending officers assured their full cooperation for the success of the project and committed to its timely completion.