UT administration receives bids for construction of verandah outside courtroom

Time of India

3 hours ago

Chandigarh: The UT engineering department has received around five bids for the project to construct a verandah outside court room number 1 of Punjab and Haryana High Court. Scrutiny of bids will start on Monday, after which technically qualified ones will be selected and the process of financial bidding will start.
The authority has specified the area for construction of the verandah, keeping heritage and other aspects in mind.
The UT urban planning department has prepared and issued the drawing/design of the civil work, estimated at around Rs 13.50 lakh, to the engineering department for construction of the verandah. It has been categorically asked to construct the new verandah outside court room number 1. It will be similar to verandahs from court room numbers 2 to 9 in the high court.
Since this project entails crucial heritage aspects, engineering officials concerned will monitor the work.
"All dimensions are given approximately and must be verified on-site before execution of the work. The proposed verandah will be constructed as per the existing verandah in front of court numbers 2 to 9 in terms of design, specification, and structural feasibility. All electrical services shall follow the same pattern as in front of the existing court numbers 2 to 9," the engineering department has been instructed.
Sources in the Chandigarh administration said that 22 iron poles will be installed and covered with RCC battens to construct the new verandah outside court room number 1. Thus, no major construction work in the existing building will be required. The matter was already discussed in the heritage committee of the UT administration.
In May, the Supreme Court upheld a high court order directing the Chandigarh administration to construct a verandah (covered walkway) outside the Chief Justice's court.
The Supreme Court's decision came after the Chandigarh administration appealed the high court order, raising concerns about potential violations of Unesco guidelines.
Case sent to ASI
Both the Chandigarh Heritage Committee (CHC) and its sub-group have approved the project. The Chandigarh administration has also sent the matter to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for consideration and approval by the World Heritage Committee.
"The ASI is the nodal agency to communicate and deliberate with the World Heritage Committee for such matters, as the Chandigarh administration cannot directly approach the World Heritage Committee," sources in the UT said.
Imp Box: Tenders floated
The UT engineering department has initiated two separate works for the verandah project of the high court. Tender amount for the civil work is estimated at around Rs 13.50 lakh, for which bids have been received.
A tender for separate electrical work has also been initiated, with bids requested till June 27. Tender amount for electrical work is around Rs 1.88 lakh.
Design & heritage considerations:
--The verandah will mirror the design of those outside Courtrooms 2 to 9.
--The UT urban planning department has provided the design, estimated at ₹13.50 lakh.
--The project is sensitive due to heritage aspects, and will be closely monitored.
Construction Details:
--22 iron poles will be installed and covered with RCC battens.
--No major alterations to the existing building are required.
--Electrical work will follow the existing pattern and is separately tendered at ₹1.88 lakh (bids open till June 27).
Legal and heritage approvals:
--The Supreme Court upheld a High Court order mandating the verandah's construction.
--The Chandigarh Heritage Committee and its sub-group have approved the project.
--The matter has been referred to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for further approval by the World Heritage Committee.
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