What ails Chandigarh? An ivory tower mindset

Conceived as a greenfield capital city of Punjab after it lost historic Lahore to the Partition, Chandigarh was envisaged by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as, “the new city of free India, totally fresh and wholly responsive to the aspirations of the nation”, and, “a city unlike any in India: Modern, functional and forward-looking”.

- { GUEST COLUMN } Pawan Kumar Bansal

While the city’s first master plan emphasised spaciousness, orderly development, and quality life, a population of over 13 lakh against the original design capacity of 5 lakh has placed tremendous pressure on the city’s infrastructure, services, and green spaces, and has led to the gradual erosion of its planned character. At the same time, thoughtful urban management, policy interventions and planning that remain true to the city’s founding vision while adapting to contemporary needs have, unfortunately, remained elusive.

Top-heavy administration

Carved out as a Union Territory (with Manimajra and 22 villages) while remaining capital of both Punjab and Haryana, after the re-organisation of Punjab in 1966, Chandigarh began well under its first chief commissioner, MS Randhawa. He poured his heart into its development, emphasising the creation of a veritable city of gardens and tree-lined boulevards.

Over the years, however, governance took a hit. The Union Territory administration, headed by the Punjab governor and assisted by 12 IAS officers, seven IPS officers, nearly 20 state civil service officers from Punjab and Haryana and four from DANICS, runs the city government. This top-heavy administrative structure is perhaps the bane of its functioning. In contrast, neighbouring districts of Mohali and Panchkula are run efficiently by a single deputy commissioner and a handful of state officers.