Tricity
Fight to stop Tribune Chowk flyover project: Experts pitch for ‘overloop’; former Chief Architect calls project ‘myopic’
Urban experts in Chandigarh have voiced strong opposition to the proposed Rs 247‑crore Tribune Chowk flyover, calling for an alternative ‘overloop’ design while warning of impacts on hundreds of trees and the city’s master plan.
What Happened
The Chandigarh administration has been awaiting the Centre’s approval to award the Rs 247‑crore Tribune Chowk flyover project to the lowest bidder. At the same time, a group of architects, urban planners and the city’s former chief architect have launched a coordinated effort to halt the scheme, arguing that it fails to consider critical environmental and planning factors.
Details of the Development
According to the critics, the proposed flyover would cut through a stretch that hosts around 700 mature trees, a number that has been highlighted in recent discussions about urban greenery. They also contend that the design does not align with the long‑term vision outlined in the city’s Master Plan, describing the approach as short‑sighted and lacking a holistic view of traffic flow and public space.
Context Around the Case
The project has been moving through the bureaucratic pipeline for several months, with the local government emphasizing the need for a swift award to the lowest qualifying bidder. While the exact timeline for construction has not been disclosed, the financial outlay is substantial, representing a significant portion of the municipal budget earmarked for infrastructure upgrades.
About the Platform and the Project
Tribune Chowk is a busy intersection that connects several arterial roads in the heart of Chandigarh. A flyover at this location is intended to ease congestion, but urban design experts note that similar interventions in other Indian cities have sometimes produced unintended consequences for surrounding neighborhoods and ecosystems. They suggest that an “overloop” concept could achieve the same traffic objectives while preserving the existing tree canopy.
Why This Matters
The debate underscores a growing tension between rapid infrastructure expansion and the safeguarding of urban ecology. Preserving mature trees and adhering to a city’s master plan are increasingly seen as essential components of sustainable development. The outcome of this dispute may influence future decisions on how large‑scale projects are evaluated, especially when they intersect with environmental concerns.
Source: Tribune India
