The Chandigarh administration is contemplating an appeal to the Supreme Court following a High Court order that mandated the installation of paver blocks in a green belt next to the High Court complex for additional vehicle parking. This potential move marks the administration’s second appeal to the apex court in these proceedings, reflecting ongoing concerns about preserving the city’s heritage status.
The High Court’s directive, issued on February 7, has raised significant concerns due to its proximity to the Capitol Complex—a World Heritage site designed by the renowned architect Le Corbusier and granted heritage status in 2016. Modifications or constructions within a World Heritage site require approval from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, a stipulation that underscores the administration’s hesitation.
During a hearing on March 7, part of a 2023 public interest litigation (PIL) initiated by Vinod Dhaterwal, a high court employees’ association office-bearer, the administration’s senior standing counsel highlighted these reservations. The PIL addresses the increasing traffic congestion and space limitations at the High Court, advocating for comprehensive development plans that have been stalled since the heritage designation.
The litigation also touched on contentious proposals, such as the demolition of the Rock Garden wall—a move that has already sparked public backlash and debates over urban planning and heritage preservation. The High Court has dismissed attempts by local residents to expand the scope of the PIL to include broader ecological and urban planning concerns.
Amidst this legal and urban planning complexity, the High Court has proceeded with the demolition to alleviate traffic congestion, with plans to complete the new parking space and road widening by April 30.
The backdrop of these developments is the severe parking shortage at the High Court, exacerbated by the daily influx of approximately 10,000 lawyers, in addition to hundreds of employees and litigants from neighboring regions. The current infrastructure, including a three-tier underground parking facility, falls significantly short of needs, accommodating only 600 vehicles while thousands remain parked in less regulated spaces.
