Let’s us see city beautiful ‘CHANDIGARH’

Jaswinder  Singh  Kainaur

Let’s us see city  beautiful  ‘CHANDIGARH’

Chandigarh city is situated in the North side of our country. This is the first well planned city in India and is known internationally for its architecture and design. Like the history of every city, the Chandigarh city has also a historical background.

After the, independence of India on August 15, 1947 the nation was divided into two countries viz. India and Pakistan. That day was also the day of division of State of Punjab (Punj+Aab). East Punjab in India became a state without a capital. Then Shimla was declared the temporary capital of Punjab. At that time the people were very nostalgic about the Lahore city. Till the last moment they hoped that Lahore would remain with India.  But, Lahore went to Pakistan & become capital of the remaining West Punjab. All people, bureaucrats and the politicians were eager to built the area from where they came. Under such circumstances, the Central Government has entrusted the task of search for a new city & permanent Capital City for the State of Punjab, to Govt. of Punjab & further Punjab Govt. had assigned the same work to a young engineer Mr. P.L. Verma.

The Government of Punjab had selected a site at the foot of the Shivalik Hills in Ropar district for the new city & capital of the state & approved 114.59 sq. km tract of land after consultation with the Central Government in March, 1948.  An existing village gave its name (Chandi - Goddess of Power + garh - fortress) to the new city. The name Chandigarh  means "The Fort of Chandi" and the city gets its name from an ancient temple called Chandi Mandir, which is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Chandi, near the city. The city is popular for being the first planned city in India after independence and was designed by the Swiss born, French architect Le Corbusier and is well known for its urban design. Its foundation was laid down in 1952. At that time, this city was a part of Ambala city. But, later on  the city became the capital city of both, Punjab and Haryana & declared as a Union Territory under the direct control of the Central Government. The Punjab & Haryana High court is  the highest court of jurisdiction & situated at Chandigarh. This area was belongs to Harappans about 8000 years ago. It is known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture in the twentieth century in India. The Administration has been successful in transforming this city into a world class city since its foundation.

The city of Chandigarh is planned to human scale. with a clearly defined head (the Capitol Complex, Sector 1), heart (the City Centre Sector-17), lungs ( the leisure valley, innumerable open spaces and sector greens), the intellect (the cultural and educational institutions), the circulatory system (the network of roads, the 7Vs) and the viscera (the Industrial Area). The concept of the city is based on four major functions: living, working, care of the body and spirit and circulation. Residential sectors constitute the living part whereas the Capitol Complex, City Centre, Educational Zone (Post Graduate Institute, Punjab Engineering College, Panjab University) and the Industrial Area constitute the working part. The Leisure Valley, Gardens, Sector Greens and Open Courtyards etc. are for the care of body and spirit. The circulatory system comprises of 7 different types of roads known as 7Vs. Later on, a pathway for cyclists called V8 were added to this circulation system. All roads are identical like Purav, Paschim, Uttar, Dakshan, Madhya & Himalaya Marg etc. The Buses are plying on V-1, V-2, V-3 and V-4 roads only.

The city centre (Sector 17) is the heart of Chandigarh's activities. The geographical location of the city is 30 degree 50' N latitude and 76 degree 48' longitude and it lies at an altitude varying from 304.8 to 365.76 meters above sea level. The whole city is divided into sectors & further into its parts A, B, C & D. Almost, the each sector is ( ½ mile x ¾ mile) 800 meters x 1200 meters. These four parts are easily identifiable as A, B, C and D corresponding to North, East, South and West sides. Each Sector is meant to be self-sufficient, with shopping and community facilities within reasonable walking distance.

Sukhna Lake is a beautiful lake. The open hand emblem at Sukhna lake. It reads “Chandigarh, The City of Peace.” Chandigarh is one of India's most well planned cities and has a lot of interesting tourist attractions like Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Museum & Art Gallery & many more beautiful places/parks etc. All artisan items like sceneries, portraits & statutes which are placed in the Rock Garden are made from  waste  material by the Artist & sculptor Sh. Nek Chand. Being located at the foothills of the mighty Shivalik Range, the city's climate is very good. There is one more significant feature of this city that there are No personal statues erected in the entire city.

            Total 20,000 acres land was acquired for the first phase to develop 30 sectors without existence of sector no. 13. Later on, Land for more seventeen sectors (Sector 31 to 47) was acquired and developed during the second phase. Proposal to set up an eleven storey building in the commercial Sector 17 is in the offing. The Govt. had planned & developed one more commercial sector 34, where is also situated F.M. commercial station All India Radio, Chandigarh. Thereafter started sector 48 and beyond are in the third phase.

Chandigarh is the first planned city in the country and still maintains its status as one of the best managed cities in the country. The excellent social infrastructure, large green spaces and its compact size, make Chandigarh an ideal work destination. The quality of life in the city beautiful ’Chandigarh’ is comparable to the best cities across the India as well as the World. Moreover, it is the cleanest city of India. Chandigarh, The City Beautiful, is magnetic and attracts people from all parts of the country and the world. In other words, it can be said that Chandigarh is a city of creative people.

Dear readers keep in mind & visit this beautiful city at least once. This city can be reached by Airways, Railways & Roadways etc. It is just 250 km away from Delhi, Amritsar & 120 km from Shimla.

Email: jaswinderkainaur@gmail.com

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