Open House: Fixing traffic woes, curbing crime top Chandigarh's New Year wishlist

Start by fulfilling basic requirements

There are many expectations from the administration. The foremost is the management of waste as the present capacity is insufficient. The next would be traffic management to control environmental pollution and reduction of accidents and jams which can be achieved  by introduction of metro. Policing must be made more efficient to reduce the crime. These are basic areas that need work and are a good place to start from.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

Live up to the Smart City tag

Chandigarh carries the tag of "Smart City" and holds the distinction of being the first planned city of the country. It is understandable then for the public to expect a robust garbage management system, a mass public transportation system and development of adequate parking facilities in commercial as well as  in residential areas. Maintenance of law and order is another must.

SS Arora, Mohali

Make city a safer place for women

In the New Year, the city must be made a safer place for women. The steep rise in crime is disheartening. Every day, several women become victims of heinous acts like abduction, molestation, teasing, rape or even murder. I wish that 2025 brings a ray of hope for women. It is time for a revolutionary change in the mindsets of people as well as law and order.

Shruti K Chawla, Chandigarh

Make city monsson ready 

As the city enters into the New Year, we must ensure that we overcome the shortcomings from last year. All the ongoing developmental projects must be complete without further delays. Lessons learnt from this year's torrential showers must also be utilised and the roads must be properly recarpeted before the monsoon season sets in to prevent any eventuality. The monsoon drainage system must also be revamped and the city's ongoing transition towards electric vehicles must also be hastened.

Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh

Ensure basic infra is available to all

In the New Year, the Chandigarh administration must take up initiatives for the welfare of the common population. The basic principle of a democratic government, "by the people, of the people and for the people", should reflect in governance. The rising crime warrants strong measures, as does the worsening conditions of basic infrastructure like parks, green belts and so on.

Vijay Shukla, Chandigarh

Effectively tackle spurt in crime

To begin with, it is often observed that despite having police presence on the ground, the incidents of chain snatching and of other valuable goods persists. Apart from this, the cases of road rage and road mishaps are also a matter of high concerns. Therefore, these issues should be controlled by enforcing robust laws and more effective policing.

Arpita Anand, Chandigarh

Devise strategy to tackle cybercrime

One of the major expectations of 2025 from the administration is that of devising a dedicated strategy to tackle cybercrime. The safety of the elderly people is especially at risk. Street cime is another area that needs addressing. As far as the municipal corporation is concerned, work needs to tackle the monsoon woes and it all stats by cleaning the gutters before the onset of rainy season. All concerts should also be shifted to the rally ground in Sector 25 to avoid inconvenience to the residents.

Savita Kuthiala, Chandigarh

Enhance education, healthcare sectors        

The UT administration should enhance educational opportunities to ensure all students have access to high quality education and financial aid for those in need. Attention can be given to health care facilities and services. Environmental responsibility must be committed by implementing green practices on campuses and supporting research in renewable energy and conservation. This could involve community outreach programs, public health initiatives and collaboration projects.

Anita K Tandon, Mundi Kharar

Haphazard growth needs to be checked

In the last one decade the tricity has developed haphazardly. There is a need to control the haphazard illegal constructions in the city. Join police efforts can help tackle the same across not just in Chandigaeh but across tricity. Join check-posts can also help curb crime and make tricity a safer space.

Adish Sood, Amloh 

Build a city free from traffic, pollution

As responsible citizens and members of the local community, our expectations are of a pollution-free environment, well-planned traffic system, better roads without potholes, good water disposal system and corruption free City beautiful.

Adish Sood, Amloh

Find a solution to congestion on roads

People pay taxes and thus expect good governance. The administration should do something to improve the city's cleanliness, traffic situation and security. Traffic jams, especially around private schools and offices during peak hour make the commute a nightmare. Encroachments are another big problem that need tackling once and for all.

Sukhwnt Bhullar, Chandigarh

Prioritise sustainable urban development

We hope that the Chandigarh administration in the New Year prioritises sustainable urban development, enhances public transport, and ensures efficient waste management. Strengthening healthcare and education systems, promoting green spaces, and fostering community engagement are essential. By focusing on these areas, Chandigarh can become a model city that balances growth with environmental stewardship and social well-being.

Sargunpreet Kaur, Mohali 

Let's give back to the environment

The Chandigarh administration is performing well on many fronts despite facing financial crunch. It is prayed that the administration take necessary steps to plant more trees in the parks, educate the residents to plant more trees in and out of their homes in order to reduce air pollution and control the rising temperatures.

Harjinder Singh Bhatia, Chandigarh

Put an end to traffic woes, crime

As we usher in the New Year, the least we can expect for the citizens of tricity is that the place be made crime and accidents free by undertaking necessary steps to ramp up security. Efforts need to be made for providing clean air, better management of traffic woes. More focus on arts and recreational activities.

Alka Tandon, Panchkula

Foster a corruption free atmosphere  

We citizens of Chandigarh hope that the administration ensures the best health facilities for the people, provide parking spaces, concessions on house tax, cheaper electricity and water, a pollution-free city, best public security from police department, carpetting of roads, removable of heritage status on properties in various sectors, free facilities in community centres to citizens of city, friendly atmosphere between citizens and administration and most importantly, foster a corruption-free atmosphere.

Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh

Rid the city of garbage, traffic

Chandigarhians wish to see city beautiful on top of the list of cleanest cities of India in next competitions. The next in mind is to see the city free of traffic congsetion, free from parking chaos and free from fire incidents/accidents. The carpeting of city roads along with proper lighting on the roads specially the outer sectors is another wish for 2025. Also urgent solution is needed for the parking problems faced by patients at PGI and other hospitals.

Wg Cdr (Dr) JS Minhas (retd), Mohali

Ensure transparent governance

As responsible citizens, we expect the UT administration to prioritise sustainable development, transparent governance and improved public services. We expect better infrastructure, efficient waste management, enhanced healthcare and quality education for all. Ensuring safety, promoting employment opportunities, and supporting local businesses and MSMEs is also crucial. Initiatives to preserve cultural heritage, green energy adoption, and public participation in decision-making will build trust and foster a harmonious, progressive, and inclusive society.

Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh

Streamline traffic, remove encroachments

Effective traffic management and maintenance of law and order, reducing encroachments and illegal construction, maintenance of roads and storm drains, looking after the green cover and parks are some of the areas that can use some work in the new year. All out efforts to make Chandigarh the best city to live in will only yield results when all sections of the society come together. Be it the need to streamline traffic or doing away with encroachments, collective efforts are the answer.

Col KJ Singh (retd), Chandigarh

Stray dog menace needs addressing

The problem of stray dogs and cattle is a major issue that needs addressing. A lot of damage is being done but it can be fixed by fixing the lackadaisical approach of the authorities concerned. The VIP culture also needs to end as it causes a lot of inconvenience to general public. There is no justification of troubling an entire city's population for a mega event of any nature.

Arun Jain, Manimajra 

Strive to increase city's green cover

There are many wishes for Chandigarh. Topping them, however, should be to recover or at the very least maintain the city's green cover. With the coming up of a flyover and a metro in the future, trees are bound to be axed and it might seem like wishful thinking on our part, but we must strive in the coming year to justify the tag of "Green City".

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Improve coordination for smooth working

The foremost expectation from our UT administration is the need to improve its inter-state coordination and rapport with the Centre. This will help key projects likes the 300 flats of the Chandigarh Housing Board scheme floated in 2018 and the shorter route to the international airport, any many others getting off the ground. environment of the tri-city.

Brigadier Advitya Madan, Chandigarh