Open House: Has Chandigarh not been able to cash in on its tourism potential?

Designed by French architect Le Corbusier, Chandigarh still awaits to be discovered in its true essence. Its architectural marvels, tree-lined boulevards and serene Sukhna Lake narrate stories of vision and balance, yet remain unsung to the world. The city has beauty, grace and soul, but lacks the emotional connection that turns visitors into admirers.

Vineet Gandhi, Chandigarh

Blame indifferent Admn for neglect

Chandigarh, the pride of India’s urban vision, was crafted with such a perfection that its architecture remains unmatched even today. What a tragedy that this living marvel has been neglected by its very caretakers! The UT Administration’s indifference has failed to capitalise on what could have been a global tourism treasure. Ravinder Nath

Accord priority to medical tourism

Highlight Chandigarh’s medical expertise, affordability and unique selling points. Upgrade facilities, invest in cutting-edge technology and attract top medical talent. By prioritising medical tourism, Chandigarh can capitalise on its strengths, attract global patients and boost local economic growth.

Capt Amar Jeet, Kharar

Make it a weekend thrill destination

Speed boat rides at Sukhna Lake, parasailing and parachute jumping zones could transform the city into a weekend thrill destination, drawing tourists from across North India. Chandigarh’s clean design, safety, and central location make it ideal for becoming a modern leisure hub.

Narinder Banwait, Chandigarh

Hold cultural fests, improve infra

Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, Capitol Complex, Japanese Garden and Terraced Garden showcase the city’s heritage and natural charm. Chandigarh can unlock its full tourism potential by organising cultural festivals, improving infrastructure and promoting heritage.

Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh

Open more govt-run hotels, offer fair tariff

The UT Administration should build more government hotels equipped with all facilities and provide services at reasonable rates. Main tourist spots like Sukhna Lake and Rock Garden should have good eating points, serving all types of cuisines at reasonable rates.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Immense potential, but underuitlised

Chandigarh has immense, but underutilised tourism potential. The Sector 17 Plaza can be transformed into a lively hub of international standards with cultural and recreational activities. The Sukhna Lake area can attract adventure seekers through water sports, while Bird Park and adjoining natural forest zones can offer eco-camping without disturbing flora and fauna.

Vijay Katyal, Panchkula

Preserve heritage of City Beautiful

Chandigarh’s sector roads run parallel and perpendicular to each other. Vast green areas and trees on either side of roads bear the true heritage of Chandigarh. Nek Chand’s Rock Garden is internationally renowned. The authorities must preserve Chandigarh’s unique heritage and turn it into a tourist hub.

Col TBS Bedi, Mohali

Need to promote city’s cycling infra

Revamping leisure hubs like Sukhna Lake, introducing cycling heritage circuits and promoting local art through weekend cultural bazaars would create vibrant experiences. Integrating tourism apps, improving signage and fostering public-private partnerships can elevate Chandigarh from a stopover city to a must-visit urban marvel.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Aggressively market Corbusier’s legacy

To unleash the UT’s potential, aggressively market Le Corbusier’s legacy through immersive AR tours and global heritage festivals, drawing architecture aficionados worldwide. Transform Sukhna Lake and Rock Garden into eco-adventure hubs with zip-lines, night safaris and wellness retreats.

Amanjot Kaur, Mohali

Start more guided tours, cultural events

Places like the Capitol Complex, Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden and Rose Garden attract visitors, but they see them quickly and move on to other cities. The real story of Chandigarh’s unique design and culture is not well shown. If the city had more guided tours, cultural events and eco-friendly experiences, it could attract many more visitors. Chandigarh does not need to change, it only needs to be presented better.

Luvya, Chandigarh

Integrated promotion need of the hour

The city’s attractions — Capitol Complex, Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, and museums — are impressive, but lack integrated promotion, infrastructure and experiential tourism options. Limited nightlife, cultural events and connectivity to nearby hill circuits further restrict visitor engagement. Chandigarh can position itself as a model for architectural and eco-tourism with heritage walks, art festivals and guided tours.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Start campaign to market city’s heritage

The city has a number of heritage buildings, structures and other visiting places, but it did not attract enough tourists. Most tourists stop on their way to Shimla, Kasauli and other hill stations. There is a need to start a campaign in print and social media, promoting the tourist and heritage places in Chandigarh.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (retd), Mohali

Improve access, create new facilities

Focus on infrastructure development, including upgrading the city airport to international standards for improved access. Create new tourist facilities like convention centres in Sector 34 and botanical gardens. Promote and enhance the visitor experience through improved hospitality and dedicated toll-free helplines ensuring safety and better guidance.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh

Battered roads, safety major put-offs

Crumbling roads, safety concerns and a half operational international airport deter visitors, especially international tourists. It’s high time the Chandigarh Administration pressed for running international flights from the Chandigarh airport. This single step would supercharge the region as a premier tourist destination, particularly for medical tourism.

Col Balbir Singh Mathauda(retd), Chd

Enhance accessibility, visitor experience

To cash in on Chandigarh city’s tourism potential having both heritage buildings and natural beauty, we need a well-rounded strategy that enhances visibility, accessibility and visitor experience while preserving its charm.

Raj Kumar Kohli, Chandigarh

Cleanliness, tourist safety lacking

International tourism requires international standards. Our cleanliness standards are abysmal. People throw trash anywhere, without any consequence. There is a need to ensure safety of women tourists. They should not be pestered for selfies or subjected to molestation. Indian women are apt at identifying perverts and behaving accordingly, but foreigners are not that proficient and hence harassed.

Dr Monica Agarwal, Chandigarh

Promotion limited, facilities inadequate

Limited promotion, inadequate tourist facilities and lack of integrated heritage circuits have stopped Chandigarh from emerging as a major tourist destination. The city needs a clear roadmap for redevelopment—one that restores and highlights its architectural landmarks, improves visitor amenities and connects major attractions.

Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh

UT should frame broad tourism policy

The absence of a comprehensive tourism policy, insufficient promotional initiatives, and inadequate preservation of heritage sites have collectively hindered the city’s growth as a cultural and architectural destination. It often functions merely as a gateway to nearby hill stations rather than a destination in itself. To transform this scenario, it is imperative that authorities prioritise systematic heritage conservation, improve infrastructure and implement strategic marketing campaigns.

Dr Kumud Sachdeva, Dera Bassi

Start heritage walks, open mic nights

Designed by Le Corbusier and surrounded by the Shivaliks, the city has beauty, order and tranquility. We need to get people to ‘feel’ the city through heritage walks, open-mic nights at Sukhna, or digital projects. Tourism thrives where culture is alive and Chandigarh has that pulse. We just need to crank it up. It is time for the world to not just come, but feel Chandigarh.

Ruhani Singh, Chandigarh

High hopes from UT’s Rs 100-crore plan

The city has come out with a Rs 100-crore Tourism Master Plan, which suggests providing modernist heritage, culture and eco-themed places. Flagship schemes entail a concert-cum-exhibition complex, virtual museum, and renovation of old museums and tourism infrastructure. With new infra, creative experiences and strategic promotion, Chandigarh will become a vibrant tourist destination.

Yogesh Gaur, Gharuan

Chandigarh requires Seamless connectivity

Issues like traffic, congestion and parking chaos at popular sites add to visitors’ difficulties. Vendors need a lesson or two on how to behave with tourists. Maintaining green cover, ensuring seamless connectivity to other destinations and making Chandigarh airport fully operational would attract tourists.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

Promote city as travel destination

With its modern architecture, peaceful gardens and scenic surroundings, Chandigarh has everything a tourist could ask for. Yet, the city hasn’t fully realised its tourism potential. The main reason is the lack of active promotion compared to destinations like Jaipur or Delhi. Chandigarh has rich history and creativity, but limited initiatives to showcase them on a larger scale.

Sukhman Kaur, Mohali

Update online info on tourist spots

Chandigarh known for its heritage status, can attract tourists, but still there are some gaps that need to be filled. There should be an app or online updated information about timings and holidays at tourist spots so that visitors can plan their visits accordingly. Guides at sites and tour buses can augment tourism. Attention should be paid to cleanliness to attract tourists. Online promotion can be useful.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

UT heritage needs to be promoted

The city has not marketed itself well beyond Sukhna Lake and Rock Garden. Many people still don’t know about heritage buildings, museums and their architectural value. There is a need for better promotion, more visitor-friendly infrastructure and curated experiences that tell Chandigarh’s story in an interesting way.

Karman, Chandigarh

Publicise UT’s heritage assets

The UT Tourism Department should publicise heritage assets and affordable lodging and boarding facilities on national as well as international media. Set up kiosks at international airports and major railway stations in the country where information and pictorial handouts could be shared with tourists.

SS Arora, Mohali

Ensure tourist spots have clean vicinity

The Administration should pay special attention towards tourism. More public transport facilities should be arranged. The surroundings of the tourist spots should be kept neat and clean.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Ensure cleanliness, green mobility

Cleanliness drives, proper waste disposal and green mobility initiatives can make Chandigarh more welcoming. With focused planning, improved infrastructure and eco-friendly tourism policies, the city can transform into a model tourist destination that harmonises modernity, heritage and nature.

Shilpee Srivastava, Mohali

Revive city’s cultural essence

Over the years, the city’s cultural essence and tourism appeal have faded due to a lack of infrastructure upgrades, poor maintenance of heritage sites and limited exploration of new tourist spots. To reclaim its identity, the government must focus on strengthening infrastructure related to tourism and heritage conservation.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh

Revise tourist spot list on Internet

The list of tourist spots on the Internet needs to be revised. Add Butterfly Park, Chattbir Zoo, Air Force Museum, Doll Museum and Botanical Garden at Sarangpur to the list. Mall is not a tourist place. Roundabouts can be beautified. No busts or religious statues please. No beggars or street vendors near tourist spots. Souvenirs should be sold at reasonable rates.

Tanjeet Kaur