UT to hold public hearing on flyover issue on Dec 23

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 5

UT Adviser Manoj Kumar Parida will hold a public hearing on the Tribune flyover on December 23. Sources said the UThad fixed the hearing on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

While staying the axing of trees for the project, the court had directed the UT to examine the issue after taking suggestions and views of all stakeholders. It had also directed the UT to place the report pertaining to the suggestions or conclusions before it for further orders from the Bench regarding the axing of trees.

The Bench had also directed that a committee of officers from Punjab and Haryana would, after holding a meeting with the UT Adviser, come up with a solution to protect the trees, if possible.

The UThad also submitted that it had no objection in considering “any other reasonable suggestions and options with regard to the project in question”. Sources said the hearing would be held at UT Guest House. The UTwill issue a public notice for the hearing inviting all experts, the common man, representatives of the NGO which challenged the axing of trees for the flyover and environmentalists to give their suggestions. Officers of Punjab and Haryana will also be invited. After examining the views, a report will be placed before the court.

The court directions came on a plea filed by the Run Club against felling of trees.

Measures that can be explored

Some measures suggested by experts to decongest Tribune Chowk include exploring the possibility of connecting the slow  carriageway directly with the existing slip roads near Tribune Chowk. They have also suggested alternative routes/bypass from the Industrial  Area, Phase 2, for right turning cars and buses towards the ISBT, Sector 43. 

Why flyover may not be the right option

• The roundabout is not the busiest as per a survey conducted by RITES in 2009 
• More than 700 trees have to be   axed for the project  
• Bypass and ring road around  the city better options, say experts
• Flyover against master plan  and heritage character of city
• Rs 150 crore public money on the  project may go waste as it is unlikely to solve the problem  
• Flyovers create visual barriers and are an antithesis to the open planning of the city
• The proposed design of the flyover does not confirm to the Le Corbusian system of proportions
• Flyover will come in the way of the GMCH silence zone
• Flyover will be a hurdle in case the UT approves  Metro in future
• RITES report had suggested underpasses to solve the traffic chaos at all roundabouts