Consider third entry-exit point at High Court: Bench to Chandigarh Administration

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked the UT Administration to rise to the occasion, change mindset and consider a third entry-exit point.

The assertions came as the Bench referred to the city’s plan made in the ’60s and the urgent need for infrastructural overhaul in the area around the HC complex. The Bench was of the view that the city’s planning mindset had been unable to keep pace with the reality.

“The plan was made in the ’60s when the footfall was just, what, two or three lakhs. Now it’s 15 lakhs. Please rise to the occasion and change your mindset,” Chief Justice Sheel Nagu asserted as the Bench took stock of the mounting vehicular congestion in and around the court complex and adjacent areas.

Pressing for concrete remedial action, the Chief Justice questioned why the authorities had failed to consider a third entry-exit point. “Why can’t you think of a third entry-exit point?” the Bench asked.

Suggesting a specific solution, the Chief Justice observed: “You have to provide us with another slip road to ease traffic congestion. That is the only answer… parallel to Uttar Marg. Like you have in Sector 17 — there is a service road. If you have an exit and entry point from Uttar Marg, then it will ease a lot of traffic (congestion).”

The remarks came during the resumed hearing of a bunch of petitions on the High Court’s holistic development.

Change your mindset: Chief Justice

The master plan was made in the ’60s when the footfall was just, what, two or three lakhs. Now it's 15 lakhs. Please rise to the occasion and change your mindset.

— Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice, Punjab & Haryana High Court

Appearing for the Chandigarh Administration, senior standing counsel Amit Jhanji conceded the point, stating: “Absolutely right. But the problem is that once a master plan is notified… for a road to be constructed, I’ll have to take instructions, because it would involve amendment of the master plan. I have to come back on that.”

The Chief Justice, however, asked, “Is there any provision for amendment in the master plan? Is there any enabling provision?”

Jhanji replied: “The master plan amendment can always take place, but then it has to be by the approval of the Central government. So that’s a long-run process.”