UT Administration rejects last alternative to flyover

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 11

The UT Administration has also rejected the last model shortlisted as an alternative to a flyover at Tribune Chowk.

Of the seven proposals, six had already been rejected by the Technical Committee of the Administration.

Tarun Mathur, structural engineer, had given a presentation on his “signal-free interchange” model before the Technical Committee a few days ago. He had stated that it was low in height and not in violation of the heritage norms.

Citing several shortcomings in the model, the committee rejected the proposal, said sources. The committee observed that the proposal did not fulfil the criteria prescribed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), said the sources.

Members of the committee observed that the interchange curves under the proposal were sharp, which did not meet the NHAI norms. At the same time, the Administration would need to acquire a lot of land for the entire project, added the sources.

On objections raised over the sharp curves, Mathur said his model had a smaller turning radius on which the design speed was slightly less at 31 kmph.

He said experts had suggested a larger turning radius so that large trucks could turn at the speed of 40 kmph. “I have pointed out to the experts that I avoided larger curves because that will entail land acquisition of a larger area,” he added.

He further pointed out that Chandigarh roundabouts, Matka Chowk in particular, were designed for design speeds of 30 kmph. “I am not against a larger turning radius as suggested by STUP provided the Administration can acquire larger area,” said Mathur.

It was the last suggestion which the Administration was seriously considering, but now it has also been rejected. The seven models were submitted to the committee following a public hearing held on the issue on December 23 last year. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had asked for a public opinion to find an alternative to the flyover at Tribune Chowk.

The matter will now come up for hearing in the Punjab and Haryana High Court tomorrow.