Open House: Can one Tribune flyover fix traffic mess or does Chandigarh need a mobility rethink?

Single Flyover cannot rid city of congestion

Is it really worth clinging to the Heritage City tag when the very spirit of Chandigarh is gasping under the weight of endless traffic chaos? A single flyover at Tribune Chowk is no remedy for the city's choking arteries. Chandigarh's roads, once symbols of beauty and order, now echo with honking horns and frustration. If heritage means preserving the past at the cost of people's peace, health and time, then it is an empty pride. True heritage lies in evolving for the welfare of citizens.

Ravinder Nath

Metro can help tackle traffic woes

Chandigarh is now enforcing myriad new ways to tackle the traffic menace. For starters, a Tribune flyover and a PGI flyover can help reduce traffic near Tribune Chowk, Hallo Majra and Industrial and PGI hospital. But the results could be if the Metro project is sped up and the underpasses to be more prevalent in the city and to construct a proper ring road to readily connect myriad parts of the city. Such improvements

will be the next big change in our City Beautiful.

Akshansh Thakur

Go for integrated public transport

Chandigarh's original design by Le Corbusier emphasised smooth vehicular flow through its grid of sectors and roundabouts, but rising population, vehicle ownership and daily inflow from Mohali and Panchkula have exceeded its planned capacity. A single Tribune flyover cannot fix this. The city needs a comprehensive mobility rethink, an integrated public transport system. Introducing advanced electric and Double Decker buses, expanding cycling tracks, pedestrian paths and smart traffic systems will further ease congestion.

Shilpee Srivastava, Mohali

Flyovers can provide long-term relief

One Tribune flyover alone cannot fix Chandigarh's traffic mess. Instead of flyovers, constructing underpasses at major junctions-similar to those in Delhi-could be a more effective solution to decongest roads and intersections. Additionally, the government should seriously consider developing an underground metro system to address long-term traffic and transport challenges.

Sonu Verma, Chandigarh

Delaying metro will cost Ut dear

The flyover at Tribune Chowk is a wise step toward easing traffic congestion but offers only a temporary fix. It may shift bottlenecks to nearby intersections, increasing traffic, noise, and air pollution, especially near the Sector 32 hospital. To sustainably address congestion, the Administration should prioritise the Metro project. Delaying the metro risks missing a critical opportunity to ease traffic and drive transformative growth in the Tricity region.

Col Balbir Singh Mathauda (retd.)

Outer ring road can reduce burden

Tricity's population and traffic density has increased manifold, resulting in not only traffic problems but also causing pollution. At the same time the Tricity metro project should also be given green signal and work started in phases to ease traffic problems. Outer ring road for Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula should also be given top priority to ease internal traffic problems. Use of cycles and electric cars should also be encouraged and subsidised.

Col TBS Bedi, Mohali

Use tech to monitor traffic in real time

The construction of one flyover, such as the proposed Tribune flyover, can offer some short-term relief to Chandigarh's traffic congestion. However, relying on a single infrastructure project is not a sustainable solution to the city's growing mobility challenges. Yes, Machine Learning (ML) and the Internet of Things (IoT) can play a crucial role in solving the city's traffic congestion. IoT-enabled sensors and cameras can collect real-time data on vehicle flow, road occupancy and air quality.

Krishan Kumar

Revamp of road network inevitable

Tribune flyover's approval has been lingering for the last few years. All four corner roads linking the city with Punjab, Haryana and Himachal get congested everyday during peak hours. Chandigarh was designed for a population of 5,00,000 people but has 13 lakh people and 14,27 lakh vehicles registered as on 2024. Hence

the city cannot take the load. There is a need to redesign

other roads too.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (retd.), Mohali

Smart traffic management system key

There is a need to prioritise upgrades like road widening, underpasses, pedestrian pathways and lights, bus lanes based on precise data and regular maintenance of roads. Increasing bus services, a rejig of routes and promoting eco-friendly public transport can significantly reduce congestion. Implementing intelligent traffic management systems that adjust signal timings based on real-time traffic data can help reduce congestion. Promoting cycling, walking, carpooling can reduce the number of vehicles.

Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh

Opt for economical solution

The Tribune flyover will surely assist in reducing the traffic rush and help commuters headed to Panchkula and Zirakpur. The population pressure is too much due to the fact that most of the employees of Chandigarh are staying in the other adjoining cities like Mohali, Panchkula and Zirakpur. Thus, there is urgent requirement of having flyovers etc. at several places but looking into the time and cost factors is also essential.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Synchronised traffic lights required

In addition to the Tribune flyover, there is a need to construct underpasses and flyovers at key bottlenecks to create smarter intersections, along with bypasses and wider roads in its peripheral areas to divert traffic away from congested areas in the city. Secondly, installing synchronised traffic lights and using AI-driven monitoring to optimise traffic flow and adapt to real-time conditions.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh

Traffic discipline need of the hour

What the city needs is not more concrete but more consciousness. Traffic discipline, smart signal coordination, stricter parking enforcement, and a stronger public transport network are the real solutions. Encouraging cycling, walking, and carpooling can restore the city's original design harmony. Chandigarh was envisioned as a model of urban planning, not a maze of flyovers and gridlocks. Instead of chasing quick fixes, we must invest in sustainable mobility that respects both the city's plan and its people.

Vineet Gandhi, Chandigarh

Embrace necessity over aesthetics

Tribune Chowk's traffic chaos isn't just an inconvenience but a daily test of time, fuel, and patience. A flyover here isn't a luxury, it's a lifeline. Yes, concrete structures can disrupt visual harmony. But what's worse is gridlock, honking, and pollution choking the city's lungs. The ?247-crore investment is a bold step toward smoother commutes and smarter urban planning. If executed well, the flyover can be a symbol of progress, not clutter. Let's embrace the necessity, not just the aesthetics.

Narinder Banwait