Finally, Chandigarh takes steps to build PU-PGI underpass

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Chandigarh, July 7

Over four years after then UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore had given in-principle approval to a pedestrian underpass between Panjab University (PU) and the PGI, the Administration has finally started the process for its construction.

The Administration has invited bids for hiring a consultant, who will prepare a report on structural stability and submit drawings as well as detailed estimates for the underpass at a cost of Rs 2.36 lakh.

In September last year, after some minor alterations in the project, the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) gave its approval to the amended design of the underpass. A sub-committee of the CHCC in July last year had approved the project.

To be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 7.20 crore, the sewer and storm water pipelines will have to be shifted before starting the construction of the underpass.

In March last year, the CHCC had directed the UT Administration to request the authorities of both institutions to spare small portions of land on their respective premises to facilitate the construction of the entry and exit points for the underpass and to allow more space for pedestrian movement. However, both had turned down the request.

Earlier, it was suggested that both entry and exist points should be on the premises of both institutions so that there would be enough space for buses to pick and drop passengers on both sides of the road.

The project design was changed after both institutions refused to spare a 60 sq yd piece of land on their respective premises. The project will now be constructed on a limited area that falls under the jurisdiction of the Administration, not extending beyond the road.

The project will have 12 shops instead of 20 proposed earlier. Moreover, the width of the underpass has been reduced from 17 m to 14 m. Due to the paucity of space, there will be no escalator and only a lift will be constructed.

In November 2019, then UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore had given in-principle approval to the underpass project after the traffic police flagged the need for it. The road witnesses a heavy rush of patients and attendants. Thousands of people from neighbouring states visit the PGI every day.

In its report on the comprehensive mobility plan for the tricity, the Rail India Technical and Economic Service had also suggested a pedestrian underpass at the site.

As buses drop passengers on the road opposite the main gate of the hospital, they find it hard to cross it amid heavy traffic.

To be constructed at a cost of Rs 7.20 crore

• To be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 7.20 crore
• The width has been reduced from 17 m to 14 metre as both the PU and PGI have refused to spare space on their respective premises
• Owing to the paucity of space, there will be no escalator
• A lift will be constructed
• It will have 12 shops instead of 20 proposed earlier
• In September last year, the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee gave its approval to the amended design of the underpass