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Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Sector 42 lake stands dry as poor design drains Chandigarh's water planning
Written by Aishani Chauhan and Divyanshi Thakur While Chandigarh projects itself as a model of smart and sustainable planning, the New Lake in Sector 42 tells another story. Built in 2008 for Rs 3 crore to host religious events and collect rainwater for the city's southern sectors, the man-made lake today lies dry for most of the year. With no natural water source and dependent on tube wells that deplete the water table, it has become a symbol of the city's faltering water management. Staff at the site say the lake serves little purpose beyond being filled briefly during festival season. 'Even when it's filled for Chhath Puja, it's emptied soon after the festival,' said Balkar, a worker at the site. Another staffer, Anil, added that internal complaints are met with threats. 'We've told officials about the problems many times. But if word gets out about who complained, they say we'll be fired'. This year, the lake has not been filled even once. Power supply to the area was cut off on June 3 over a pending electricity bill of Rs 2.5 lakh. 'A waste of resources' Environmentalists have questioned the practice of pumping potable groundwater into a structurally inadequate artificial lake. 'It makes no sense to keep pumping drinking water from tube wells into an artificial lake that doesn't serve any real utility,' said Rahul Mahajan, founder of the Organic Sharing Foundation. 'It's not just a waste of taxes — it is a waste of natural resources.' Swadesh Talwar, veteran photo editor, pointed out that a seasonal drain, the N-Choe, flows past the site. 'That rainwater is discharged out of the city, unused, while crores are spent extracting groundwater for a lake meant to be temporary. Residents with houses over 500 square yards must install rainwater harvesting systems,' Talwar said. Talwar also highlighted a fundamental design flaw. 'The bed of the lake has been cemented over, which goes against basic ecological principles. Lake beds must be porous to allow rainwater to percolate and recharge groundwater. Cementing stops that natural seepage and defeats the purpose. No natural lake is ever built that way. It's not just poor planning — it's a way to inflate costs and justify spending,' he explained. Infrastructure overhaul needed A senior technical expert, who requested anonymity, said converting the site into a functioning rainwater harvesting basin would require major redesign. 'You can't just divert stormwater into the lake. Without proper screening, filtration, and stormwater lines that are not connected to sewage, silt and trash will collect, reducing capacity and creating new problems.' Pallav Mukherjee, a former member of the Municipal Corporation's water and sewerage committees, said he had proposed such lakes as stormwater buffers 15 years ago to counter falling groundwater levels. 'Sector 42 was meant to do that. But it is being filled with tube well water, not rainwater, which defeats the whole purpose. On a good rainy day, Chandigarh gets about one litre per square metre for every 10 mm of rainfall. That's a huge amount of water, and we are just letting it run off into drains.' Currently, there is no system to channel runoff from surrounding sectors or roads into the lake. 'This lake is not designed to collect rainwater, and so it doesn't,' said Mahajan. 'Instead, it functions as a yearly ritual site at a massive environmental cost.' Repeated attempts to contact C B Ojha, Chief Engineer with the Chandigarh Administration, for comment went unanswered. (Aishani Chauhan and Divyanshi Thakur are interns with The Indian Express)
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Indian Express
Panchkula traffic cops issue over 41k challans this year, helmetless riders top list with 16k violations
Written by Aishani Chauhan and Divyanshi Thakur Over 41,000 challans have been issued by the traffic police in Panchkula so far in 2025. Two-wheeler riders without helmets account for the highest number of violations, reflecting a continuing disregard for road safety among commuters. From January 1 to June 18, the traffic police booked 16,763 riders for helmet violations and 816 for drunk driving. Between January and May, 11,815 challans were issued for pollution certificate-related offences, 5,699 for tampered number plates, 3,955 for driving on the wrong side, and 1,101 for missing Registration Certificates. Other common violations include 614 cases in which violators did not wear seatbelts and 278 instances of jumping red lights. A traffic police official said most challans are now issued through CCTV surveillance rather than through on-ground patrols. Of the 473 CCTV cameras installed across roads and intersections in the city, 365 are currently functional, while nearly 100 are defunct. Sunil Kumar, Station House Officer (SHO-traffic), Panchkula, said, 'The Municipal Corporation handles the maintenance and functioning of the CCTV cameras. A new tender for their maintenance is currently in process.' On manpower and mobility, the SHO said, 'We have 94 personnel, including one inspector and a woman assistant sub-inspector, posted across the city. There are 14 motorcycles with us, mostly used for VVIP duties or emergency traffic management. If needed, we can request more resources. We are able to manage day-to-day operations smoothly.' To curb drunk driving, six dedicated checkpoints—three in Panchkula city and three in Kalka and Pinjore—operate four days a week. 'If a driver's blood alcohol content is above 30 ml, we issue a challan. If it is above 100 ml, we impound the vehicle,' Kumar said. On average, 24–25 challans are issued daily during these checks. With accident-prone zones like the newly constructed Ghaggar bridge under scrutiny, the department is planning to install new traffic lights. 'Tenders have been finalised,' SHO Kumar said. The police also plan to introduce smart traffic lights that automatically adjust signal timings based on real-time flow, similar to those used in Chandigarh. Expressing concern over helmet violations, Kumar said, 'They are our biggest headache. Most of the violators are young people who care more about style than safety. They don't realise the risk they pose to themselves and others.' He added, 'People aren't concerned about their safety because they lack awareness. They not only disregard their own lives but also endanger others.' The department, he said, remains committed to using technology and infrastructure upgrades to make Panchkula's roads safer.
Indian Express
15-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
ISBTs in Tricity lack basic amenities, especially for the disabled and women
Written By Aishani Chauhan & Divyanshi Thakur Tricity's Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs), used by thousands of passengers every day, lack basic amenities, especially for the differently-abled and women commuters. At ISBTs in Sector 17 and 43, toilets for differently-abled persons were either locked or non-functional, forcing users to rely on general-use facilities. A recent survey conducted at ISBTs found a toilet for differently-abled persons at the Panchkula Sector 5 bus stand to be functional. The condition of the multi-crore Baba Banda Singh Bahadur ISBT in Phase 6, Mohali, shows yet another example of underutilised public infrastructure. Although signages indicate facilities for differently-abled individuals, there were no functional wheelchairs or accessible toilets available. Basic amenities like clean washrooms for men and women and cold drinking water were present, but essential infrastructure such as air-conditioned waiting rooms was non-functional. Amidst the ongoing heatwave, commuters were seen sitting outside the building, relying on a single pedestal fan for relief. Security supervisor Hardeep Singh at the ISBT, Mohali, said, 'Due to an ongoing legal case, it will take another 2 to 3 years for the bus stand to become fully operational. There's no electricity in the building, and it's running on a generator. Substantial improvements, including functional waiting rooms and additional facilities, will only be possible once the bus stand is officially up and running.' Additionally, no ramps are available at any of the ISBTs for wheelchair users to independently access buses. They have to be assisted physically for boarding a bus. 'There's no ramp, so we help them,' said a conductor at the ISBT, Sector 17, exposing the lack of necessary provisions even at the best-performing terminal. At the AC waiting room of ISBT, Sector 43, Chandigarh, an AC is completely broken, while another has a functional display panel but doesn't cool, making the space suffocating for passengers. 'The waiting room is worse than sitting outside,' said a passenger waiting for a bus to Ambala. The situation at the Panchkula bus stand in Sector 5, managed by the Haryana Roadways under the Haryana State Transport Department, was worse. Public toilets are in a deplorable condition, with a stench coming up to the waiting area. A tea stall vendor at the bus stand said, 'The ladies' toilet is cleaned only once or twice a week; mostly on Saturdays or Sundays.' Unlike Sectors 17 and 43, where cleaning staff were seen working at regular intervals, Panchkula lacked even the basic upkeep. Of the three wheelchairs available here, two are defunct. Also, the bus stand lacks ramps to assist those with mobility issues. Passengers also complained of excessive heat, as the station does not have an air-conditioned waiting area. Wall-mounted fans give little relief in the sweltering weather. When contacted, Haryana Roadways General Manager Sukhdev Singh acknowledged the infrastructure shortcomings. 'We are currently developing an electric bus depot. Further amenities like air-conditioned waiting rooms will be added soon,' he said. Asked about the lack of sanitation and poor maintenance of toilets, he suggested it could be due to staff being on leave. 'We clean regularly, but I will look into the matter. I will speak to the officer or deputy in charge,' he said when informed about local vendors and commuters' complaints. (The authors are interns at The Indian Express)
Indian Express
08-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
40 kiosks in 1.25 acres: The rise of Panchkula's night food street
Written By Aishani Chauhan & Divyanshi Thakur As the sun sets over the bustling city of Panchkula, the aroma of sizzling noodles, melting cheese, and buttery parathas starts drawing in a vibrant crowd of night owls, disco-goers, and youngsters to Sector 5. Spread across 1.25 acres, this Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) initiative began taking shape after bids closed on January 19, 2022. Forty vibrant kiosks, mostly 3.05 by 6.05meters, to give street vendors a permanent space while easing encroachments in residential areas. The first to open shop was Eat n Sip, launched in May 2024 with just Rs 700 and offering only Chinese food. 'We faced losses for nine months,' says Rimpi, the kiosk owner. They gradually added continental dishes and eventually transformed into a 24/7 joint, now famous for its comforting desi ghee parathas served at odd hours, something no one else offers in the area. Panchkula's Sector 5 — what once saw drunk altercations and safety concerns — has now also improved thanks to increased police patrolling. 'Earlier, we were worried about the night crowd, but now it's much better. Cleanliness and safety are top priorities,' Rimpi adds. Eat N Sip has become a nighttime hotspot, drawing hungry youngsters and night-shift workers, especially after midnight. Another crowd-puller is MPG Foods, a pure vegetarian outlet that operates almost round the clock. Known for its consistent rush even post-midnight, the kiosk adds a touch of international flair with its Turkish ice cream, delighting both adults and children alike. Further down the row, Don Clooney, a recent addition with existing outlets in Chandigarh, has created a niche for itself with a menu full of Western delicacies and a standout dessert: Kunafa, which is a rare sight in the tricity area. 'We opened just three months ago, but our customer base is growing every day,' says Sahil Pathania, who manages the branch and adds – 'Most of our crowd comes between 9 pm and 1 am.' Then there's Coyote Crunch, a cheerful dessert café known for its signature Coyoteez which is a layered dessert cup with gooey brownies, soft-serve ice cream, and sprinkles, particularly loved by kids. Their weekends are buzzing, keeping the café pleasantly busy. The Night Food Street is more than a typical food zone. Once complete, it promises to be a cultural and culinary hub, featuring a DJ console, a dance floor, and a performance stage for live events, all designed to create a festive, open-air night market vibe. While currently only 7-8 of the 40 kiosks are operational, the vendors expect the entire street to be fully functional in the next 1.5 years. However, the journey so far has not been easy for everyone. In the middle of the excitement, vendors like Ramavtar carry a quieter, heavier burden. Having operated his chole bhature cart near the same spot for nearly 30 years, he was pressured by HSVP officials to shift into the Night Food Street. It was an offer that came at a steep cost. Unable to afford a stall outright, he sold two of his houses just to rent a kiosk for Rs 1 lakh per month. 'I used to feed poor people for free all the time,' he said. 'Now I have to think twice. That kind of giving isn't possible anymore.' With no staff to assist and growing pressure to cover costs, Ramavtar opens shop at 8:30 AM and shuts by 6 PM. The dream of a 24/7 food street remains inaccessible to him. 'I need to sleep at night to work the next day. These days, even my sleep isn't peaceful as I'm constantly thinking about the rent.' Another vendor, raised concerns over the slow pace of construction. 'There's construction waste everywhere. No music, no events, no lights- how is this a food street yet?' he asked. By being still under construction, it affects footfall and the overall experience for his its modest start, Sector 5's Night Food Street has managed to stir up enthusiasm among Panchkula's residents. The mix of late-night bites, youth culture, and a sense of safety has already set a precedent. Visitors are already noticing the change. 'It's nice to see Panchkula trying something different. It feels like we're finally catching up to the night culture cities like Delhi or Bangalore have,' said a customer. Another customer added, 'The concept is great-food, music, lights…it really brings people together. Once it's fully ready, I can see this becoming a major hangout spot.' As the vibrant lights shine and laughter echoes across the half-built street, one thing is clear: even in its unfinished state, Panchkula's Night Food Street is already a spark in the city's evening skyline. Another such night food market is under construction in Ambala. Haryana's energy, transport and labour minister Anil Vij who represents Ambala cantonment constituency in the Vidhan Sabha has also inspected the night food street market. 'Aa many as 60 food outlet spaces are under construction in this night food street market next to Gandhi ground market in Ambala. Of these 40 will be vegetarian food spaces, while 20 shall be non-vegetarian. The market shall be operational in two months. A total cost of Rs. 5 crore is being incurred on the construction of this market'. The authors are interns at The Indian Express.
Indian Express
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
In Chandigarh, former Army chief Gen VP Malik releases book on Kashmir insurgency of 1989-90
Written by Aishani Chauhan and Divyanshi Thakur A book on Kashmir insurgency by retired Colonel Yoginder Kandhari was released Saturday at the Chandigarh Press Club. Former Army chief General V P Malik released the book at the event that was attended by several veterans and academics. The book, 'Unmasking the Kashmir Insurgency: Deconstructing the State Response -Revisiting 1989-90', consists of chapters of the Colonel's first-hand experiences and also of counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir obtained through RTI and exclusive interviews. Through the book, the author provided a picture of the state's paralysis, institutional failures, intelligence lapses, and the moral vacuum that accompanied the mass displacement of Kashmiri Pandits. Speaking at the event, Col. Kandhari said, 'I did not write the book as a scholar looking at the situation from the outside. I wrote it as someone who lived through the events, who wore the uniform, and who still carries the memories and questions that never found answers.' While former Army chief General VP Malik released the book, Colonel Daljeet Singh Cheema was the Guest of Honour at the event. In his keynote address, General Malik said that it is an interesting book that carries huge lessons for today and tomorrow in Jammu and Kashmir. Col Cheema said, 'The root cause of the insurgency is that Pakistan has never accepted the Partition as fair to them and it resulted in the first war of 1948 between the neighbours. After 1971 , Pakistan realised it can never win a conventional war against India, so it evolved the 'Pakistan Military Doctrine of Bleed India' with thousand cuts.' (The authors are interns at The Indian Express.)
