Adviser takes Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee Meeting

Chandigarh, 27 November 2019: Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee met under the Chairmanship of Sh. Manoj Parida, IAS, Adviser, Chandigarh today at UT Guest House Chandigarh.

The Committee was given a presentation on original holistic development plan of Punjab and Haryana High Court, which was conceived through a design competition conducted by the Hon’ble Building Committee and approved by the Hon’ble Governor in consultation with Chief Justice.  The Committee accepted the original proposal of Building Committee of High Court, which agreed to get the total area of 3 lakh sq. ft. as was originally conceived. 

The Committee noted that the growing demand for space by litigants and lawyers can never be adequately met unless new High Court Benches are constituted in the neighbouring cities like Panchkula and Mohali.  The Committee decided that underground parking should be provided in the area near Rock Garden where presently sufficient parking is taking place.  SSP Traffic suggested that the designated parking space in other sectors should be made and shuttle service can be provided to the litigants and lawyers to come to the Court since there is extremely limited space in the Capitol Complex.  It was decided not to construct any building more than two floors in the Capitol Complex, which will destroy the landscaping.  The members expressed fear that such alteration may lead to loss of heritage tag for the city. 

As regards construction of boundary wall around the High Court Complex, it was agreed that only on the area bordering the forest, where concrete walls already existed will be strengthened.  Remaining area will be covered by barbed wires and green fences as is being done at present.  It was also decided that instead of two agencies CISF and ITBP only one agency should be given the responsibility of providing security to the High Court Complex.  There should be more security cameras and modern perimeter access control technology to ensure proper security in the Court premises.  Some Members demanded that visitors and tourists should be allowed guided entry into the heritage areas of the city, which people should have the access.

 Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, IAS, Principal Secretary Home, Commissioner MC, Secretary Culture, representatives of the Archaeological Survey of India, Technical members Sh. Raj Rewal, Sh. SD Sharma, Sh. Rajnish Wattas, Sh. Dilmeet Singh.  The Chief Engineer, UT, Chief Architect, UT, SSP Traffic, Principal, Chandigarh College of Architecture, Director Le Corbusier Centre and other official invitees have also attended the meeting.