Residents of Chandigarh's Sector 2 have launched a strong protest against the Municipal Corporation's controversial road widening project, alleging the ₹29.26 lakh initiative primarily benefits ministers' bungalows while violating the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order protecting the city's green belt.
Residents Challenge MC's Controversial Plan
The Sector 2 Residents Welfare Association (RWA) has formally objected to the Municipal Corporation's proposal to widen the road from the Punjab Raj Bhavan roundabout towards the ministers' bungalows in Sector 2. The RWA president, Davesh Moudgil, has written a detailed letter to MC Commissioner Anindita Mitra, highlighting multiple violations and concerns about the project.
The project, estimated to cost ₹29.26 lakh, involves widening the existing 10-foot wide road to 18 feet, a move that residents claim is designed exclusively to facilitate easier access to the ministers' residences rather than serving public interest. The RWA has raised serious questions about the justification for spending such significant public funds on a road that primarily serves a handful of VIP residences.
Violation of High Court Order and Environmental Concerns
One of the most significant objections raised by the RWA involves the project's apparent violation of the Punjab and Haryana High Court's clear directives regarding the protection of Chandigarh's green spaces. The High Court has specifically prohibited any construction or development on the green belt surrounding the city, which the current road widening project would directly impact.
Davesh Moudgil emphasized that "the green belt has to be preserved at any cost as per the High Court directions" and that the MC's plan represents a clear violation of these judicial orders. The removal of trees and encroachment on green space for the road widening would directly contradict the court's environmental protection mandate.
The RWA president also questioned the timing and urgency of the project, noting that the existing 10-foot wide road has adequately served the area for decades without any reported congestion or traffic problems. Residents argue that the sudden push for widening appears motivated by convenience for ministers rather than genuine public necessity.
Demand for Project Cancellation and Alternative Solutions
In their formal communication to the Municipal Corporation, the Sector 2 RWA has demanded immediate cancellation of the road widening project. They have urged the MC commissioner to instead focus on addressing genuine public infrastructure needs that benefit the broader community rather than prioritizing VIP convenience.
The residents have proposed that the allocated ₹29.26 lakh could be better utilized for improving infrastructure in sectors that actually face traffic congestion or for developing public amenities that serve larger segments of Chandigarh's population. They argue that public funds should serve public interests rather than being directed toward projects that primarily benefit political elites.
The protest highlights growing tension between resident welfare associations and municipal authorities over urban development priorities in Chandigarh. As the city faces increasing development pressure, the conflict between preserving green spaces and accommodating infrastructure projects has become more pronounced, with residents increasingly willing to challenge authorities when they perceive projects as serving narrow interests rather than public good.
The Municipal Corporation now faces pressure to justify the project's necessity and demonstrate how it complies with the High Court's green belt protection orders. The outcome of this confrontation could set an important precedent for how Chandigarh balances development needs with environmental protection and equitable distribution of public resources.
