‘Ill-conceived Tribune flyover to ruin City Beautiful’s character’

Chandigarh, December 16

All decisions pertaining to the UT are either taken by politicians or bureaucrats, without any professionals’ role or citizens’ participation. It is very dangerous for the city and should be avoided to save the City Beautiful.

This was stated by architects from Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana during a discussion on ‘What ails tricity’ organised by the Indian Institute of Architects, Punjab Chapter, here today. About 50 architects participated in the discussion.

Architect Surinder Bahga, while speaking on the occasion, said, the Tribune flyover was ill-conceived and would ruin the character of the city, increase the noise level near the GMCH, Sector 32, shift traffic congestion from one roundabout to another, disturb underground services and claim grown-up trees. “Such piecemeal solutions will not work. There is an urgent need to find a holistic solution to the city’s traffic issues,” he added.

Dr Harveen Bhandari, Deputy Dean, Chitkara School of Planning & Architecture, highlighted the need to focus on issues pertaining to the tricity.

PPS Ahluwalia, a practising architect, spoke about the issues in Mohali. He criticised ribbon development on both sides of the Aerocity road. Traffic lights after every kilometre is a major hindrance in the free flow of traffic. “Roads are alligned at many places to accommodate encroachments or religious places. The master plan is not futuristic. Less focus on industry and migration are other challenges,” he added.

Prof Deepika Gandhi, Director, Le Corbusier Centre, emphasised the need to spread greater information about Chandigarh, sensitise citizens and decision makers about the legacy of the city and take more proactive measures to engage the younger generation in various aspects of the city in particular and the issues of urbanisation in general.

SS Sekhon, former chief architect, Punjab, opined that the pre-1966 status of Chandigarh should be restored. Le Corbusier gave four-phased development plan of roundabouts, which facilitates traffic movement at three levels to avoid congestion. It should be reconsidered and implemented in letter and spirit.

Architects felt that the UT Administration had no accountability and the city should either have a legislative assembly or Mayor-in-Council.

Others who spoke were Hem Raj Yadav, Chief Architect, HUDA, and AK Gupta, an industrialist. — TNS

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