Chandigarh Approves Rs 12.44 Crore Project to Replace Intact Pavers
The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has approved a controversial Rs 12.44 crore project to uproot existing, reportedly intact paver blocks and replace them with new ones across various sectors. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from resident welfare associations and civic activists, who argue that the replacement is unnecessary and wasteful. Baljinder Singh Bittu, Chairman of FOSWAC, highlighted this as a recurring issue where functional infrastructure is demolished without proper inquiry. Vinod Vashisht of CFORWO urged the engineering wing to base decisions on technical grounds rather than political pressure. The move contradicts earlier warnings from the UT Chief Architect and the Forest Research Institute, which linked over-concreting to collapsing trees and advised against hard surfaces on internal roads to preserve the city's green character. Specific projects include replacements in Shivalik Enclave, Burail village, and Sector 22-C. Critics emphasize that the demolition itself incurs significant costs to the exchequer, raising questions about fiscal responsibility and environmental sustainability in urban planning.
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Chandigarh Approves Rs 12.44 Crore Project to Replace Intact Pavers
The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has approved a controversial Rs 12.44 crore project to uproot existing, reportedly intact paver blocks and replace them with new ones across various sectors. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from resident welfare associations and civic activists, who argue that the replacement is unnecessary and wasteful. Baljinder Singh Bittu, Chairman of FOSWAC, highlighted this as a recurring issue where functional infrastructure is demolished without proper inquiry. Vinod Vashisht of CFORWO urged the engineering wing to base decisions on technical grounds rather than political pressure. The move contradicts earlier warnings from the UT Chief Architect and the Forest Research Institute, which linked over-concreting to collapsing trees and advised against hard surfaces on internal roads to preserve the city's green character. Specific projects include replacements in Shivalik Enclave, Burail village, and Sector 22-C. Critics emphasize that the demolition itself incurs significant costs to the exchequer, raising questions about fiscal responsibility and environmental sustainability in urban planning.
The Indian Express