HC flags access hurdles at Sarangpur, directs UT to examine IT Park for new complex

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Chandigarh Administration to “explore searching” for an alternative site for the construction of a new High Court building in the IT Park area of Chandigarh, observing that the earmarked land at Sarangpur village may not be practical due to restricted access and frequent traffic congestion near the PGI.

“The direction is being given since 15 acre allotted to the High Court and the additional 33 acres proposed to be allotted to the High Court in Sarangpur village may not be practical since access to Sarangpur village is restricted and often blocked by the traffic congestion at PGIMER square,” the Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry asserted.

The court, during the proceedings, also dealt with several infrastructure-related issues concerning the High Court. UT Senior Standing Counsel Amit Jhanji assured the court that the furnishing work on four floors, including the basement, of a Sector-17 building for the high court’s administrative branches would be completed and handed over. In view of this assurance, the Court refrained from issuing further directions on this point.

On the issue of landscaping the “kutcha” parking area, Jhanji informed the Court that revised drawings were in the process of finalisation and would be filed within a week for approval by the High Court’s Building Committee. The committee was requested to consider the suggestions of the Bar and expedite its decision.

Seeking an extension of time for construction of the verandah in front of courtroom number one, the Senior Standing Counsel stated that revised drawings had been finalised and the work would be completed by August 25. The Bench fixed August 1 as the next date of hearing for further consideration of these matters.

The Bench had earlier stated it was forced to think about an alternative site during the hearing of the case hovering around the High Court’s holistic development plan. “We are forced to think about an alternative site for the high court…. Such a good building you have. It’s a unique building. I have not seen such a building in the entire country. And yet you are compelling people to leave this building by your adamancy,” the Bench had told UT Administration.

Chandigarh