UT mulls underpass at Tribune Chowk on a priority basis

This, despite the fact that the project of proposed underpasses at the Press Chowk, Transport Chowk and Piccadilly Chowk could not see the light of day even after more than five years.

Also, a bypass road has been proposed connecting the Ambala-Chandigarh highway via Daria village for which land will also be acquired.

"The Tribune Chowk has highest traffic flow in Chandigarh. The traffic density is highest during evening and morning rush hours here. Hence, construction of an underpass at the site is under consideration," Finance-cum-Urban Planning Secretary V K Singh told mediapersons here on Monday.

Asserting that the UT Administration would first get a feasibility study done before finalising the plan, he said, "To alleviate the traffic problem at Tribune Chowk is our priority as of now. The work on other projects of underpasses at Press Chowk, Transport Chowk and Piccadilly Chowk can be taken later as there is no immediate need for construction of underpasses at these three sites."

The project of underpasses was conceived in 2006. Three underpasses at Press chowk on Madhya Marg, Piccadilly roundabout and Transport chowk were proposed in the first phase.

The nodal agency of the project, Chandigarh Housing Board, had also hired New-Delhi based Consulting Engineers India (PVT) Limited as consultants to assist it in understanding the work from concept to the completion stages. The work related to traffic surveys — digital topography survey, geo-technical survey, utility mapping regarding the sites of the underground services and survey concerning general packet radio service (GPRS) — was also completed by the CHB in 2009.

However, the project hit the roadblock with CHB experiencing a financial crunch. Later, due to infeasibility, the project was put in cold storage by the UT Administration.

UT Advisory council meeting on Nov 30

The UT Administrator's Advisory Council will be holding its meeting on November 30. Agenda items include transport, education, health, security, municipal activities, presentation and discussion on UT Master Plan and tricity plan. Already, letters have been sent to all the 42 members mentioning agenda items.

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