Chandigarh on several issues concerning Heritage conservation Committee was held today

Chandigarh: The 21st meeting of Chandigarh Heritage Conservation conservation Committee was held today under the Chairmanship Sh. Dharam Pal, Adviser to the Administrator, Chandigarh on several issues concerning heritage preservation and architecture as mandated by judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in case – Resident’s Welfare Association and anothers Vs. The Union Territory of Chandigarh and others dated 10.01.2023. 

The meeting was attended by Sh. Anup Gupta, Mayor, Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, Secretary Culture, Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Estate Officer, Chief Engineer, Chief Conservator of Forest-cum-Director Environment, Senior Standing Counsel, Legal Remembrance-cum-Director Prosecution, Sh. Raj Rewal, Architect, Ms. Sumit Kaur, Prof. Rajnish Wattas, Dr. IC Syal, Sh. Dilmeet Singh Grewal. 

In the meeting, the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in RWA case were discussed alongwith various representations received on the implementation of judgment on the issues of redensification in Phase-I (Sector 1 to 30) of Chandigarh and maintenance of heritage status of Phase-I sectors. It was decided that considering the heritage status of Phase-I Sectors there is no need for further redensification in Phase-I Sectors. Hence, it was concluded that no review is required on issues of density, FAR and heritage conservation as already decided in Chandigarh Master Plan 2031. 

Since no change was proposed in the provisions of Chandigarh Master Plan 2031, hence, no proposal is needed to be sent to Central Government for consideration. 

It was decided that the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031 has been approved after due deliberation on aspect of heritage conservation and urban planning, hence, Chandigarh Master Plan 2031 provisions to be kept intact.

On the issue of restrictions on share transfer outside family and sanction of building plan where property has been owned by co-owners who are stranger/outside family, it was decided by members of Heritage Conservation Committee that since these decisions involved legal aspects, hence, Administration may consider taking decisions on these issues as per judgment after due legal examination.

​Regarding need based changes in showrooms in Sector 7 & 26, Madhya Marg, it was discussed that committee of Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Chandigarh had recommended that retractable/ temporary roof should be allowed after due examination by Architect Department and Fire Service Department. On this issue after detailed deliberation it was decided that the matter needs further examination on the aspect of fire safety, ventilation and availability of parking. Hence, it was directed to put up case again before Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee after detailed examination on the above mentioned aspects.

​Regarding representation on Kiran Cinema, Sector 22, Chandigarh regarding allowing conversion of theatre in multiplex under the Multiplex scheme, it was decided that Architect Department alongwith Plan Approval Committee and non-official members of  Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee to examine the proposal of the applicants in detail and submit its report in the next Heritage Conservation Committee meeting.