New Haryana Vidhan Sabha building will be disastrous for Chandigarh, says architects’ body

Chandigarh, June 22

The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Chandigarh Chapter has expressed grave concern over the proposal to have a new building for Haryana Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh. Senior functionaries of the IIA Chandigarh Chapter have shot a letter to the Home Minister, Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab and the UT Administrator, stating that the proposed building near the railway station on IT Park Road in Chandigarh is a clear violation of the city’s master plan and any such move will be nothing but tinkering with Chandigarh’s unique character.

In a press conference held at here today, SD Singh, chairman, IIA Chandigarh Chapter said that in the communication, it has requested to consider several other options.

“The idea of making new Vidhan Sabha will be against master plan of city and it may invite huge criticism at International level,” he said, citing similar proposals like destroying green belt of mango trees, and Tata Towers project, in the past which led to their cancellation at the PMO level, causing a lot of embarrassment to the Chandigarh Administration.

Surinder Bahga, former Chairperson of Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter said, “Chandigarh is considered as one of the best experiment in urban planning and architecture in India after Independence. Thousands of Indian and foreign architects visit Chandigarh and its Capitol Complex as tourists because of iconic landmark buildings designed by legendary architect Le Corbusier.”

He added that the whole world knows that Chandigarh’s master plan is originally prepared by Swiss-born French Architect Le Corbusier, which was followed in letter and spirit by the then Punjab government. Revised Chandigarh Master Plan-2031 was prepared by Chandigarh’s Urban Planning Department and was approved by Chandigarh Administration and Union Ministry of Home, Government of India.

“Le Corbusier compared Chandigarh Plan with a human body where Capitol Complex consisting of Secretariat, High Court and Assembly Hall is ‘Head’ of the human body. If Haryana will add new Assembly Hall, then Chandigarh will have two heads,” he said.

“The proposal of constructing separate Vidhan Sabha within the boundary of city at different location is complete violation of original Le Corbusier plan and revised master plan of Chandigarh. It will destroy Corbusier’s concept of city planning,” Bahga said, adding, “Chandigarh can appoint international jury consisting of eminent but independent architects and planners who have knowledge about Le Corbusier’s work and philosophy to finally take the decision.”

Sanjay Goel, Chairman, IIA, Punjab Chapter said, “Haryana Government can plan to build a New Capital city of its own on some suitable site located in the centre of Haryana state which is easily accessible to residents of the state. The other option can be that Haryana Government can consider building only Capitol Complex on the outer skirts of some existing town of Haryana having Secretariat, Vidhan Sabha and its own High Court with other relevant facilities.”

Goel said, “Le Corbusier originally planned Governor’s Palace in Capitol Complex of Chandigarh. On the insistence of then PM, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, idea was dropped. But Corbusier was perturbed that this will spoil the composition of his Capitol Complex. Nehru advised him to replace it with another building so that his composition is not spoiled. Then Corbusier came with the concept of building Museum of Knowledge in its place which is lingering on from nearly 70 years. During international conference held in Chandigarh in 1999, a mock façade of Governor’s Palace was built on same site to highlight the urgency to build that structure by internationally-acclaimed architects and planners. We recommend that Haryana can build that building and shift its 350 officials in new building. They can continue to use existing Hall in Vidhan Sabha plus new building as well. It will not only solve their problem, but rather help in completing Corbusier’s dream project.”

 “Based on Haryana Government’s factual data about present space requirement, efficient space planning with some minor changes can be explored. A series of low-height annexes were added on rear side of High Court to cope with growing demands of High Court. Likewise some additional nicely-designed low-height structure can be added on rear side of existing Assembly Hall,” he said adding, Haryana government and Punjab government can use same Hall by segregating the dates of their sessions.

Discussions of having independent high court of Haryana and shortage of space in main Secretariat are also going on from years. Haryana can build its own High Court in the existing Capitol Complex area as well as Secretariat but without disturbing the core area. But design of Le Corbusier’s buildings can be repeated, Anju Bala, joint secretary of IIA concluded.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.