Construction ban to hit 20 major projects in Chandigarh

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

The decision of the Supreme Court to stay all types of construction activity in the city is set to hit more than 20 major projects of the Chandigarh Administration and the Municipal Corporation.

Smart City projects like 24/7 water supply in Mani Majra and bicycle-sharing scheme are also going to be affected with the order.

While the ongoing construction work of the underpass at Sector 17, urban park near bus stand, a hospital at Maloya and four schools is going to be affected by the decision, the engineering wings of the UT Administration and the MC have decided to put on hold the tendering process of the new projects.

Sources said tenders for the projects like a spinal injury centre at the GMCH in Sector 32 and a new Secretariat building are likely to be delayed further.

The other projects going to be hit include a railway underbridge at Mani Majra, construction and demolition waste plant at Sector 38, new power substations, four community centres and a sports complex in Sector 39.

Following the Supreme Court’s order, the Chandigarh Administration and the MC has banned all types of construction works.

The Supreme Court order came after the MC failed to frame a proper policy on solid waste management. The stay will continue till the Administration brings a policy on the rules. The Municipal Corporation  Commissioner, KK Yadav, has already directed officials concerned to stay all types of construction within the jurisdiction of the civic body. In the wake of the Supreme Court order, the Estate Office, UT,  is likely to stop approving new building plans.

Meanwhile, a panic-like situation has been created in the city following the ban. Many people, who have already started construction, are at the receiving end.

A resident of Sector 33 said construction work at his place had reached the final stage and government departments were closed for two days. He does not know whether he should continue with the work or not.

MPS Chawla, a businessmen, said the Administration must clarify its stand over the issue and must notify the rules as early as possible to end the confusion.

Works put on hold

• Underpass at Sector 17
• Hospital at Maloya
• Spinal Injury Centre at GMCH-32
• Railway underbridge at Mani Majra
• Construction & demolition waste plant at Sec 38
• Four community centres
• Sports complex in Sector 39
• Smart City projects like 24/7 water supply in Mani Majra

‘Policy on waste mgmt soon’

The UT Administration will notify the solid waste management rules soon. As per the order, the stay on construction will be lifted once the UT notifies the rules. — Arun Kumar Gupta, Home Secretary-cum-Secretary, Local Govt