Open House: What are your expectations from Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria for city’s future?

Allow floor-wise sale of houses

Punjab and Chandigarh are fortunate to have an experienced Governor who has started mingling with the public and the bureaucracy of Chandigarh from day one. He should save the residents of the elite sectors of Chandigarh from making distress selling of their old dwellings. The floor-wise sale and their registration be permitted. At least the sale of floor wise houses be permitted for small houses up to the area of 16 marlas. Necessary steps be taken to plant more trees.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Question for next week

The safety of doctors has become a significant concern. What measures should be implemented to ensure their protection at work?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com

Improved health services need of hour

Following steps can be taken for the benefit of public such as better health facilities, checking corruption in Police Department, decrease house tax, better water supply and electricity facilities, avoid online vehicle challaning by police, one day for public grievances in a month, encroachments on government land (parks) etc.

Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh

Focus on sustainable development

With Gulab Chand Kataria at the helm as the new UT Administrator, the focus should be on sustainable urban development, enhancing public services, and fostering community participation. Prioritising smart infrastructure, green spaces, and efficient waste management can transform the city into a model of modern living. Strengthening law and order, while promoting education and healthcare, will ensure a safer, healthier future for all residents.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Involve public in decision-making

Under Gulab Chand Kataria’s leadership, the city should strive for fostering economic opportunities. Ensuring transparency and citizen engagement in decision-making will build trust and drive progress. Focus on environmental sustainability will be crucial in balancing growth with ecological preservation.

Amanjot Kaur, Mohali

Modernise infra

With Gulab Chand Kataria at the helm, the city has a unique opportunity to excel. Key priorities should include modernising infrastructure, boosting healthcare, and fostering a business-friendly environment. Promoting green initiatives and smart city projects will ensure sustainable growth. By emphasising transparency and inclusive governance, he can build a strong foundation for a prosperous and resilient future, making the city a model of urban excellence.

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Prioritise infra development

The city can be transformed into a beacon of modern urban living. Priorities should include revitalising infrastructure, enhancing public services and driving economic growth through innovation. Emphasising environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and citizen-centric governance will create a thriving, resilient city.

Gurpreet Kaur, Mohali

Revitalising public transportation

I expect a surge in sustainable development and citizen-centric initiatives. Key priorities should include: revitalising public transportation, enhancing waste management, and promoting eco-friendly practices. Additionally, he should focus on fostering a vibrant cultural scene, improving public healthcare, and ensuring inclusive growth for all sections of society, making the city a model of holistic progress.

Sahibpreet Singh, Mohali

Resolve issues related to CHB

The city awaits transformative leadership. He should prioritise resolving long-pending issues related to the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB). Kickstart stalled housing schemes, especially the self-finance housing scheme-2008. Address the burning issue of share-wise property sales in heritage sectors. Push for freehold ownership of commercial plots.

Sargunpreet Kaur, Mohali

Set up more IT hubs

With taking over as new UT administrator of city beautiful, top priority should be to manage waste and cleanliness of city so that Chandigarh graph goes up in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan followed up by long pending metro project. Law and order problem, including CCTV high-tech coverage with body camera for policemen. More international air connectivity concessions to set up more IT hubs which will improve employment.

Col.TBS Bedi, Mohali

Let him take final call

Since the wishlist/key priorities of the people at large, may seldom match with that of the newly coronated UT administrator, city beautiful’s futuristic course of action, should be best left to his own wisdom. The genesis behind such a view could be traced back to two factors. One, He could have been thoroughly briefed about its real inside story, by the outgoing UT Administrator. Second, there is every possibility that he must have his task priorly cut by the MHA keeping in view it’s both ‘cosy and rosy’ past developments. However, he may better avoid ‘locking any horns’ with the Punjab CM while solemnly acting in accordance with his constitutional obligations. Let him take the final call as per his own wisdom and need of the hour.

Kumar Gupt, Panchkula

Make metro project a reality

The UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria should work to rid Panjab University of the constraints of obsolete provisions of the PU Act, 1948 and the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, vis-a-vis its finances and governance model, to realise its potential optimally, given its huge infrastructure and legacy. The second task worth his stature is to make the metro project an immediate reality on the ground overcoming routine procedural wrangles. Thirdly, he should strive for city’s direct rail-link with Rajpura.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Improve health infrastructure

The expectations from the new UT Administrator are high. Improvement in the healthcare system must be his top priority along with efforts to decongest roads and expedite the metro project. Centralising cab services for cost-effectiveness and unrestricted movement in the tricity is expected to boost employment for drivers. Beautifying Chandigarh’s entry points is essential, alongside initiating international flights from Chandigarh to Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK.

Vijay Katyal, Panchkula

Ensure women’s safety

The UT Administrator needs to focus on a proper public transportation system which will reduce traffic congestion and pollution to a large extent. CTU needs to induct more buses on profitable routes. He should also plan affordable housing options, particularly for low-income residents. He must emphasise on solid waste and garbage management and introduce measures to enhance the current recycling capacity. He must plan for more green parks and recreational areas in certain sectors. His critical focus should remain on ensuring women’s safety by enhancing the police patrols on the roads. A stringent check on the unauthorised street vendors, auto-rickshaws and private school operators will greatly help restore the sanity of this ‘City Beautiful’ to the good old days.

Brigadier Advitya Madan, Chandigarh

Garbage disposal needs attention

The new administrator of Chandigarh must act as a head of family. City faces issues such as waterlogging and traffic jams which needs to be addressed. Private educational education institutions and coaching centres have become a headache. The elected councillors are more interested going on site seeing rather caring their respective sectors. Vendors and beggars are defacing city’s sectors and every road crossings. The garbage collection and disposal needs an immediate attention.

Capt Amar Jeet, Kharar

Work collaboratively

City expects, a harmonious relationship between the Governor and chief ministers of neighbouring states to foster stability and progress in the UT. When they work collaboratively, respecting each other’s roles it ensures smooth governance, efficient implementation of policies and timely resolution of conflicts. This unity strengthens democratic institutions, boosts investor confidence and enables the government to focus on development. Major infrastructure development projects such as airport, railways, NHAI and metro connectivity issues need attention for a prosperous UT.

N K GUGLANI, CHANDIGARH

Protect senior citizens

Protection of senior citizens should be ensured, amelioration of neglected roads and availability of basic amenities near the crowded areas of Dhanas and Maloya should be increased. Moreover, providing protection to the properties of overseas populace. Fundamentally, the crime against women in tricity is appalling which should be terminate at the earliest.

Parisha Khatri, Chandigarh

Pay attention to GPA holders

Basic amenities like roads, parking space and streetlights should be improved. Installation of traffic lights at every roundabout should be there. There should be a curb on cattle and dog menace. Registry of flats of GPA holders in the city should be made open. Commercial properties should be made freehold. Safety and security of the senior citizens and women should be taken care of.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Provide jobs to youth

Chandigarh has huge potential for NCR-type development. However, the differences between political leaders and supremacy of bureaucracy resulted in Chandigarh not being a priority for development. The Administrator should focus on pending projects like Metro and international flights to major destinations from Chandigarh. This will help integrated development of tricity, traffic control and economic growth of both the states of Punjab and Haryana besides providing jobs to their youth.

Col Balbir Singh Mathauda, Chandigarh

Boost public services

With Gulab Chand Kataria as the new UT Administrator, expect a focus on efficient governance, enhanced security, improved infrastructure, and economic growth. Priorities may include boosting public services and engaging with the community to address both immediate and long-term needs.

Prithvee Yakhmi

Focus on cleanliness

Chandigarh has been facing the problem of traffic chaos on roads during peak hours. Parking of vehicles especially in PGI, other hospitals, High Court, secretariat, offices and markets has been an eyesore for the commuters. The issue of waste dumping ground along with the deplorable health hazard of Dhanas people has been continuing from years without any solution. The issue of Metro project has also not seen the go ahead till date.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (Retd), Mohali

Address senior citizens’ issues

Chandigarh is a city of retirees who after serving in different organisations intend to settle in City Beautiful. But with meagre resources and keeping in view the security point of view, they have to accommodate themselves in Apartment (CHB & SOCIETIES). But with lack of LIFT provisions, the elderly persons residing in second or above floors suffer vigorously due to knee etc. ailments. It is requested with Hon’ble Governor and Advisor of Chandigarh Administration to look into the matter by directing the appropriate authorities to do the needful in this regard and make the solution most viable and save the senior citizens.

GOBIND AHUJA, CHANDIGARH

Improve law & order

Law and order must be improved and implemented fairly. Snatching, theft and murder cases should be controlled. Traffic rules should be amended and the system also be improved. Condition of cleanliness and greenery should be improved. Le-Corbusier structure should be maintained. All corridors of the markets should be vacated for the public customers. Outlets of rain water should be increased and improved near each roundabout.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Conduct inspection at govt offices

The Administrator should focus on quality education, providing jobs, maintaining of roads and other amenities. He should conduct surprise visits to the government offices and police stations. He should ensure Central Government funds are properly utilised in the UT.

MR Bhateja, Naya Gaon

Law and order top priority

The UT Administrator needs to give top priority to deteriorating law and order situation in the city, improving public transport infrastructure, traffic management, 24X7 supply of water and electricity to residents. He should urge the Centre to ensure operational viability of the city airport.

SANJAY CHOPRA, MOHALI

Boost city’s economy

With Gulab Chand Kataria as the new UT Administrator, we expect renewed focus on economic growth, improved infrastructure, and sustainable development.

Devanjana Yadav, Chandigarh

Make city Beautiful in real sense

Being representative of the Centre, the Administrator is fully empowered to dictate for the execution of any kind of task which is required. To ensure development in Chandigarh, work on metro project should start. For bringing cleanliness, effective work on waste management and making the tricity free from stray menace is most essential.

Surinder Paul Wadhwa, Mohali