Open House: With the Centre’s recent rollbacks, what is the fairest long-term solution for Chandigarh?

Stable framework missing in current setup

Recently events suggest the absence of a stable and consultative framework for the city's governance. The fairest long-term solution lies in restoring transparency and meaningful dialogue among the Centre, Punjab, Haryana and the UT. Policy changes related to UT must be grounded in consensus rather than unilateral announcements. Chandigarh also needs a clear, durable governance model that respects historic commitments while ensuring administrative efficiency and political stability. Strengthening local democratic institutions and giving the Municipal Corporation greater autonomy would further reduce friction.

Parvinder Singh, Mohali

Need clear rules for development

The fairest long-term solution is to create a stable and consistent policy framework that does not change after every protest or public pressure. The city needs clear rules for development, land use and traffic planning that remain the same for everyone. When policies keep getting rolled back, it creates confusion and slows down progress. A fair solution is one where decisions are based on expert planning, proper consultation, and long-term benefits instead of short-term reactions. Once a policy is finalised after discussion with all stakeholders, it should be implemented firmly and fairly.

Vineet Gandhi, Chandigarh

Engage with experts, stakeholders

The political, religious and social fight for Chandigarh has been going on since long. The Centre's decisions regarding the PU, alloting land to Haryana for separate Vidhan Sabha, bringing city under new article and many more decisions have angered the people of Punjab. All the decisions were taken back after the agitation, strike and political opposition. It looks like the Centre has been testing the reaction of Punjab and Punjabis by such decisions.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (retd.), Mohali

Shows lack of public consultation

The BJP-led Centre's U-turn on decisions after protests shows a lack of public consultation. It's like they're making decisions in an ivory tower. The best solution is inclusive policymaking, engage with stakeholders, experts and the public from the get-go. This way, decisions are informed, acceptable and less likely to be rolled back. Identify stakeholder who will be affected. Their knowledge, lived experience, and buy in are crucial for sustainable outcomes. When decisions are rolled back, it does shake people's trust. To restore faith, the government should transparent about why the decision was taken ad why it's reversed.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Kharar

Separate capitals the only solution

Chandigarh belongs to Punjab. Chandigarh was built as Capital of Punjab after partition, on the land acquired from villages of Punjab and after creation of Haryana in 1966, it was Haryana which should have made its own capital anywhere in Haryana. Capital always remains with parent state and newly created state always built its new capital, strangely this principle was not applied in case of Punjab. Centre should give funds to Haryana for building its new capital and Chandigarh should be given to Punjab.

Harminder Singh, Chandigarh

Chandigarh should be handed over to Punjab

Chandigarh was conceived, planned and constructed as the New Capital of Punjab after partition of the country. It is high time that Chandigarh is handed over to Punjab as a long-term solution keeping in view sentiments of Punjab. A new capital of Haryana may be planned by providing funds from the Centre as per the state's needs on the lines Telangana/Andhra Pradesh. This will go a long way in maintaining harmony.

Col TBS Bedi, Mohali

Trial-and-error approach not ideal

The heartbeat of Chandigarh can only be felt by those who breathe its air, walk its streets and understand its silent struggles. The true needs of this city cannot be dictated from distant offices in New Delhi, where decisions are made without witnessing the reality of daily life here. Chandigarh cannot be governed through trial-and-error notifications. The MP elected by the people, officers of the UT cadre who serve here, are the only ones who truly understand our deep-rooted problems - our traffic crisis, civic challenges, heritage issues and urban future. They walk among us, listen to us, and feel our pain. Let Chandigarh's destiny be shaped by those who love it, not by those who only administer it from afar.

Ravinder Nath

Status Quo should be maintained

Now, after 50 years of peaceful bifurcation, a new trouble should be avoided. Already Punjab and Haryana have moved many of their head offices to Mohali and Panchkula and have reduced necessity of Chandigarh for them. Unnecessary creating new trouble by transferring Chandigarh to Punjab should be avoided. Status-quo should be maintained for ever.

Ashok Kumar Goel, Panchkula

Obtaining consent of residents key

The only viable solution is to implement the Rajiv-Longowal Accord of 1985, which provides that: Chandigarh shall continue with its current status quo - as a Union Territory and the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana. Any proposed change in Chandigarh's status must be made only after obtaining the consent of its residents, ensuring that no alteration is carried

out without their clear and informed approval.

Flying officer BS Dhillon, Mohali

Better administrative roadmap required

A fair and lasting solution lies in establishing a stable, transparent and participatory governance framework that respects the city's unique character as a shared capital while ensuring accountability to its residents. Chandigarh needs a clearly defined administrative roadmap-whether through a strengthened Union Territory structure, greater local autonomy, or a re-examined role of Punjab and Haryana-arrived at through wide public consultations, expert inputs, and legislative clarity. Creating empowered local bodies, regular stakeholder dialogues, and a statutory mechanism for inter-state coordination can bring predictability.

Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh

Responsibility lies with bureaucrats

It is laxity of the bureaucrats and ministers in UT administration to be in touch with centre and get appropriate and timely approvals for any project or decision. A timely approach, redressal of grievances, and regular talks with govt.at the centre can help take decisions timely without any protests. There is an urgent need to bridge the gap between state and centre to give a boost to policies, projects, and decisions in the city.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Structured dialogue the way to go

The fairest long-term solution for Chandigarh requires a balanced, multi-pronged approach that respects the historical and emotional ties of Punjab and Haryana while ensuring streamlined governance. Creating a transparent administrative framework with clear roles can avoid overlapping authority and political tussles. Structured dialogue between the Centre, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh's local governance is essential to reach consensus on the city's status. Avoiding sudden legislative changes and honoring past commitments with realistic, time-bound reforms can restore trust and stability.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Embrace Ut’S identity as shared capital

A fair, long-term solution for Chandigarh lies in embracing its identity as a shared capital while empowering both Punjab and Haryana equitably. Instead of transferring the city entirely to one state, Chandigarh can remain a Union Territory with strengthened co-governance mechanisms. A balanced administrative council-composed of equal representation from both states and the Centre-can oversee key regional issues like urban planning, water sharing, and economic coordination.

Brigadier Advitya Madan, Chandigarh

Balance efficiency with regional interests

A fair long-term solution for Chandigarh lies in finding a balance between administrative efficiency and regional interests. One proposal is to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution, which would give the Centre sweeping legislative and administrative powers over the Union Territory. However, this move could raise concerns about excessive central control and potential neglect of Punjab and Haryana's interests. A more viable solution might be to establish a Legislative Assembly for Chandigarh, ensuring greater autonomy and representation for its residents.

VK Tangri, Mohali

Comment

Need clarity, not cycles of U-turns

The latest reversals by the Centre have exposed a deeper malaise: Chandigarh’s status remains unresolved nearly six decades after its creation as a UT. Each attempt at administrative redesign triggers political uproar, public anxiety and Centre-state friction as the foundational question has never been settled. The fairest long-term solution is one anchored in history, legality and lived reality. Chandigarh was carved out of Punjab’s territory, promised to it by successive PMs, and reaffirmed in the 1971–72 award and the 1985 Punjab Accord. Every commission set up thereafter failed to identify any transferable Hindi-speaking areas, reinforcing that the linguistic logic for its exclusion is untenable. Meanwhile, Chandigarh has grown into a thriving city whose residents expect stability, not perpetual uncertainty. A just solution must therefore begin with acknowledging historical commitments while ensuring administrative continuity. It means a transparent, time-bound political settlement — not ad hoc decisions or crisis-driven pullbacks. Only a principled, negotiated resolution can end the turbulence and give the city the clarity it deserves.

QUESTION for next week

How can Chandigarh prevent itself from becoming a battleground for rival gangs, and who should be held accountable for the latest killing?

Suggestions in not more than 150 words with can be sent to openhouse @tribunemail.com by Thursday (December 11)