In a significant push to upgrade urban infrastructure and healthcare, the Chandigarh administration is advancing several long-pending and new projects. These initiatives, ranging from a massive medical hub to crucial road bridges and housing schemes, aim to address the city's growing needs for connectivity, healthcare, and accommodation.
Key Transport Projects to Ease Congestion
After facing legal delays, the Industrial Area flyover-underpass-rotary project has been put back on track. The project was re-tendered in October 2023, and technical bids are currently under evaluation. The next step will be the opening of financial bids, moving the project closer to construction.
Another critical transport link, the PGI–Sarangpur flyover, first proposed in 2014, is also seeing renewed momentum. Although final approvals are still pending, the administration has prioritized it to alleviate severe traffic congestion. The project received a crucial in-principle clearance from the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee's sub-panel earlier this year.
Further enhancing connectivity, the construction of the Sukhna Choe bridge near Shastri Nagar will directly link Manimajra to Sector 26. The planned bridge will be 500 meters long and 27 meters wide, featuring four lanes for vehicles, dedicated pedestrian pathways, and cycle tracks. This project also includes upgrading the important Sector 26 T-junction.
A Major Healthcare Boost: The 1,050-Bed Regional Hub
In a landmark move for healthcare in the region, the Chandigarh administration has committed to funding a Rs 2,160 crore Regional Medical Hub. The project is expected to take approximately 42 months to complete once work begins.
The comprehensive hub is designed as a one-stop solution for specialized medical needs. According to the official roadmap, it will comprise two main centres:
- A 525-bedded centre for women and child healthcare.
- A 525-bedded super speciality care centre.
The facility will also include residential blocks for staff, a shopping complex combined with a night shelter (sarai), and essential plant rooms for electrical and utility services. This hub aims to provide comprehensive, specialized care for mothers and children, addressing a significant gap in the region's medical infrastructure.
Addressing the Housing Shortage
To cater to the growing demand for accommodation, the administration is planning over 700 new government housing units on reclaimed land in Sectors 25 and 43. Beyond government housing, new housing schemes for the general public are also in the pipeline for the coming year.
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, has given clear instructions to the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB). He directed the board to formulate a new housing scheme and ensure the full utilization of vacant land for new housing projects. As a result, long-awaited housing schemes in Sector 53, Sector 43, and the IT Park may finally be launched and see completion by 2026.
The collective progress on these fronts signals a major infrastructural upgrade for Chandigarh, focusing on improving citizen welfare through better healthcare, smoother travel, and enhanced living spaces.
