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Time of India
07-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
500m long, 27m wide: New bridge on Sukhna Choe to beat the blues
1 2 Chandigarh: The city's third high-level bridge on the Sukhna Choe near Shastri Nagar, connecting Manimajra to Sector 26, will be 500 metre long and 27 metre wide. It will be four-laned, with 5m wide pedestrian pathways and dedicated cycle tracks as part of the bridge. The bridge will start on one side from near the T-junction, Sector 26, and on the other side near Shastri Nagar. The level of the bridge will be integrated with the adjacent roads to achieve the intent for which the bridge was constructed. Part of the project is the plan to upgrade the T-junction, which currently has a traffic light point. "The T-junction will be raised by 2 metres for smooth movement of traffic. A slip road will also be constructed towards the Transport Chowk side. A free lane will be provided for traffic coming from the Sector 26 side towards the Manimajra side," said a UT official. The existing bridge over the Sukhna Choe is at a lower level, a causeway, and often gets inundated during monsoons, making the road unsafe and inaccessible. This gravely impacts traffic movement. The bridge carries a very heavy traffic load. It is the main route to the Punjab and Haryana high court, Haryana Secretariat, Sukhna Lake, and other parts of the northern sectors for traffic coming from Panchkula, Manimajra, IT Park, and other locations, including inter-state traffic. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here are the signs of Magnesium deficiency Undo It is also one of the major links to the city for traffic coming from Panchkula. Originally, there was only a single road, but with the traffic pressure increasing on the stretch over the years, it is now a six-lane road with cycle tracks on both sides. The proposal for a high-level bridge on Sukhna Choe at this site was first proposed in the Chandigarh Master Plan (CMP-2031). The urgency to implement the CMP proposal came after major traffic disruptions caused by flooding in recent years and the increasing incidence of traffic snarls. During the monsoon of 2023, after waters from the Sukhna Lake were released into the Sukhna Choe, the culvert was flooded, and the fast-moving water caused major damage to it. This resulted in traffic being closed on the route for several days. The administration started planning the upgradation of the existing connectivity over the Sukhna Choe near Bapu Dham Colony. The UT engineering department was directed to undertake a feasibility study of the location. Under the study, the volume of traffic and its pattern were examined, and a consultant was hired to plan the bridge. The project was recently "conceptually" approved by the subcommittee of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
New railway junction, 1,700-flat housing scheme in Chandigarh administration's plan for 50-acre land freed from encroachment
With a new railway junction, 1,700-flat housing scheme, dedicated cycle track, and civic amenities like schools and health centres — the Chandigarh Administration is all set to transform over 50 acres of prime land freed through a massive anti-encroachment demolition drive. The reclaimed sites — spread across Sanjay Colony, Janta Colony, Adarsh Colony, Manimajra, and the Sector 53/54 corridor — are now at the heart of an ambitious urban renewal plan aimed at meeting the city's long-term infrastructure and housing needs. The cleared Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area Phase I, measuring around 6 acres and valued at Rs 250 crore, is earmarked for the development of a proposed railway junction, which is expected to ease pressure on the current station and serve as a logistics and mobility hub. In Janta Colony, which saw the recovery of about 10 acres of land worth Rs 350 crore, the administration plans to build a dispensary, primary school, shopping complex, and community centre, improving access to basic facilities for residents in nearby sectors. Adarsh Colony, where approximately 12 acres were cleared, will be merged into Sector 54 and developed into a new residential housing scheme by the Chandigarh Housing Board. Officials confirmed that structured plots and affordable housing units will be offered under the project. At the former Furniture Market site between sectors 53 and 54, recently demolished and valued at Rs 400 crore, the UT proposes for development of residential and commercial zones. The eviction of long-standing encroachments has also cleared the path for a dedicated cycle track long planned along the Sector 53/54 corridor. In addition, a 32-acre site in Sector 54 has been cleared for a major 1,700-unit residential housing project, and the long-pending Sector 53 self-financing scheme, offering 372 flats, has been revived and is expected to open soon. The administration is also planning green zone extensions and urban parks, especially in areas like Manimajra where 10 illegally constructed houses over 4 kanal were razed to restore the original Green Park layout. As per UT officials all freed land will be protected from re-encroachment and developed strictly according to the Chandigarh Master Plan.
Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
All decks cleared for Zirakpur ring road project, work starts by end of 2025
In a significant development that will ease traffic congestion in Zirakpur and its surrounding areas, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has given its approval for a six-lane bypass that will serve as an alternative route for Himachal-bound traffic. Originally launched in 2013, the project was halted in February 2014 after landowners approached the court demanding higher compensation. (HT file) Lying on the intersection of two major highways – National Highways 5 & 7, Zirakpur is prone to major traffic snarls. The bypass, spanning nearly 19.2 km, will start at the Patiala-Zirakpur light point on NH-7 and terminate at the old Panchkula light point on NH-5, helping the Shimla-bound traffic completely avoid the Zirakpur bottleneck. Similarly, traffic from Shimla heading towards Ambala or Delhi will also be able to bypass Zirakpur. The new bypass will also serve as an alternative route from Panchkula to the Mohali international airport terminal, helping traffic avoid Chandigarh city altogether. This, in turn, will reduce burden on Chandigarh's major roads like Madhya Marg and Dakshin Marg. The Chandigarh Master Plan has long recommended such an infrastructure to reroute inter-state traffic for improved city traffic management. Originally launched in 2013, the project was halted in February 2014 after landowners approached the court demanding higher compensation. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) revived it in November last year during a meeting of the Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA). At the meeting, an NHAI official cited the rising traffic in the Tricity area due to rapid urban expansion in Mohali, Zirakpur, and Panchkula and pushed for the ring road. An NHAI official said that tenders have already been floated for the project that is estimated to cost around ₹1,900 crore. Bidding will start on August 19. The official said, 'We have received clearance from the environment ministry and have floated the tenders. We hope to begin work by the end of this year and aim to complete it within two years.'
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Chandigarh MC okays e-auction of unipole ad sites, high-rises in pocket no. 6 in Manimajra
Facing a financial crunch, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) Monday passed two key revenue-generation proposals during its House meeting on Monday — the first major resolution approved was the e-auction of unipole advertisement sites, while the second supplementary proposal involved allowing high-rise group housing projects in pocket no. 6 in Manimajra for residential purposes. E-auction of unipole ad sites approved In a significant move to enhance revenue streams, the MC approved the e-auction of 75 advertisement sites, primarily unipoles. The sites have been divided into three zones with 25 panels each. The tender for the auction is expected to be issued soon. The corporation anticipates to generate Rs 12 crore annually from these sites, with a provision for a 10 per cent yearly increment in the contract. These 75 sites comprise 53 new locations and 22 existing ones approved by the UT Urban Planning Department. Strategically located along commercial roadsides, the sites were recommended by the Chief Architect of the Urban Planning Department. The councillors welcomed this initiative as a progressive step toward modernising the city's advertising infrastructure. Green light to high-rise group housing projects in Manimajra The House also cleared a proposal for developing Manimajra as a hub for high-rise group housing projects. The Chandigarh Administration has already approved the layout and zoning plans, allowing construction up to five storeys with a floor area ratio (FAR). This project aims to tackle the city's housing shortage and accommodate its growing population. Plot 6 in Manimajra, Chandigarh, is a 6.9-acre area designated for residential development under the Chandigarh Master Plan. The Municipal Corporation (MC) is considering auctioning this land, with a reserve price of Rs 300 crore, expecting to generate at least Rs 500 crore. The MC is considering various options for these developments, including auctioning the land or partnering with public sector companies like NBCC. GIS-based sweeping proposal deferred again The proposal for GIS-based mechanised manual sweeping in southern sectors was once again deferred following objections from councillors. During the meeting, former mayor Anup Gupta announced the formation of a committee comprising councillors from all parties and nominated members. The Sanitation Committee chairman will be a special invitee. Recommendations from this committee will be presented along with the proposal in the next House meeting. Meanwhile, Lions Services, the company currently handling sweeping operations, has been given a three-month extension, as its contract ended on Monday. New horticulture waste processing plant proposal declared invalid A proposal to set up a new 60-tonne-per-day horticulture waste processing plant was also brought before the House but could not gain consensus. A heated exchange occurred between ex-mayor Anup Gupta and senior officials, including the Commissioner and Chief Engineer. As consensus remained elusive, the Commissioner declared the proposal invalid. Controversy over booking rates and job cuts Congress councillor Gurpreet Singh Gabi lashed at the Mayor in the House meeting over proposed hike in tube well operator removals and community centre booking rates. Gabi criticised the mayor over the sharp hike in community centre booking rates and the looming unemployment crisis among tube well operators. Speaking on the meeting minutes, councillor Gabi said, 'Madam Mayor, during your tenure, unemployment has started looming over 1,900 people in the last two months.' Gabi pointed out that the House had previously passed a resolution stating that the 664 existing tube well operators employed by the corporation would not be removed. 'So then how was a new tender allotted?' he questioned, adding that these 664 individuals now face unemployment. Gabi highlighted that the tender of Lions Company is about to expire, and a new tender is soon to be allotted. 'There are 1,200 employees working in that company, and no provision has been made for them in the new tender. They too will be rendered jobless,' he said. Addressing the Mayor directly, Gabi asked, 'What exactly are you doing? When the House had unanimously passed a resolution to accommodate these people, then how was a new tender issued?' He expressed frustration, questioning whether House meetings are simply meant to serve councillors food and tea before sending them home. 'If this is the purpose of House meetings,' Gabi declared, 'then I will never eat at any House meeting again.' He added, 'Madam Mayor, you will go down in history as the Mayor who took away people's jobs.' In response, the Commissioner clarified that no staff would be removed until a new tender is finalised. 'Put chili in their eyes and rob them blind' Congress councillor Gurpreet Singh Gabi also lashed out at the steep increase in booking rates for community centres. He said, 'Without offering any additional facilities, you are simply raising the rates.' Expressing objection to the arbitrary hikes, he said, 'If you are going to loot people like this, then just go ahead and throw chili powder in their eyes and rob them outright.' Gabi handed over packets of chili powder he had brought with him to the mayor, sarcastically saying, 'Here, use this in the people's eyes.' The proposal to revise booking rates was brought for the third time but was deferred again following opposition from councillors.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Community parking project in Sec 19 Chandigarh faces space hurdle
1 2 Chandigarh: With the Chandigarh municipal corporation zeroing in on Sector 19 for a community parking project, the UT urban planning department has advised the civic body against demolishing the road berm areas along V-5 road in the sector for the pilot project. The department emphasised that these areas are designated pedestrian paths and suggested exploring alternative options, including underground parking facilities. On Wednesday, a meeting took place involving various stakeholders, including urban planning, Chandigarh traffic police, MC's engineering and architect wing, Sector 19's resident welfare association, and the local municipal councillor. While all parties shared their perspectives on the community parking project, technical considerations emerged as crucial factors for implementing this first-of-its-kind initiative. The urban planning department expressed concerns about the proposed parking area along the road, noting it would significantly impact pedestrian movement. They highlighted that road expansion was not feasible. Although community parking features in the Chandigarh administration's parking policy, selecting appropriate locations remains a critical policy decision that shouldn't disrupt existing infrastructure. Meeting participants also noted that converting roadside berms would primarily benefit residents living along that stretch, failing to address the parking needs of visitors to the sector's commercial areas. The suggestion for underground parking facilities also received limited support from the stakeholders. With no concrete decisions reached during this meeting, sources indicate that the community parking initiative requires further discussions. These must consider various factors, including space availability, architectural guidelines, Chandigarh Master Plan. Box: 2nd attempt This marks the MC's second attempt at implementing community parking in the city. After the project's failure in Sector 35 in 2022 due to public opposition, attention shifted to Sector 19 for the pilot scheme. In 2024, the MC's survey of Sector 19 identified V5 road locations, noting that residents had encroached upon wide pavement areas for personal gardens, resulting in vehicles being parked on roads and pavements.
