In a recent letter written to the UT Adviser, a group of senior architects has questioned the legality of the approval given by a sub-committee of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) to the flyover. Experts have come forward to oppose the proposed flyover at Tribune Chowk.

They also flayed the UT Administration for ‘bypassing’ the norms to protect the mango trees in the heritage zone on the Purva Marg for the construction of the proposed flyover.

A flyover at the Tribune junction had been widely criticised by experts and opposed by a majority of residents of the city, said Shilpa Das, an architect. “The proposed flyover is not approved under the Chandigarh Master Plan-2031 and will destroy the heritage of the city. Flyovers are hostile to non-motorised vehicles, pedestrians, and mass rapid transport,” she said and added that the proposed flyover would increase the traffic problems of the city and hamper implementation of a comprehensive mobility plan.

The Rs183-crore project was approved by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in February 2019 to decongest Tribune Chowk.

On a petition filed by the Run Club against the cutting and uprooting of nearly 700 trees for the flyover, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had stayed the construction of the flyover in November 2019 and had asked for a public opinion to find an alternative to the flyover.

On the directions of the High Court, a public hearing was held in December 2019 to take suggestions and objections of the public and experts on the project. A majority of residents, professionals, and architects opposed the construction of the flyover.

However, the UT Administration had decided to go ahead with the construction of the flyover, as all other alternatives to the project were found non-feasible.

UT Adviser Manoj Parida said the matter was sub judice and the final decision in this regard would be taken by the High Court.

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