06022025-CT-01.qxd 2/6/2025 12:37 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune RIGHT TO SERVICE PANEL HEAD TAKES OATH CITY BOXERS IN SEMIFINALS, FIVE MEDALS ASSURED SAUPIN’S-32, STRAWBERRY FIELDS BASKETBALL CHAMPS Governor administered the oath to Mahavir Singh as Chief Commissioner of Right to Service Commission. P3 Five city boxers reach semifinals of the ongoing 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. P4 Win the 3rd J Saupin Memorial Basketball Tournament for boys and girls, respectively. P4 » » WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Metro years away, UT IIT-Roorkee flagsforheritage concerns Says holistic development plan HC may impact UNESCO status to ramp up bus service Tribune News Service Rail India service proposes 7 high-demand bus corridors Tribune News Service APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 34, 56 and Ram Darbar Mohali: Sector 76 Panchkula: Sector 5 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com SUNRISE FRIDAY 7.09 AM /THETRIBUNECHD Dushyant Singh Pundir Symphony for Harmony: The Rotary Peace Concert, February 7, Tagore Theatre, Sector 18-B, 5 pm Exhibition of works: By architect SD Sharma, who was closely associated with Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, on till February 15, Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10 MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 22°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 21.9°C | MIN 10.8°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.04 PM » THURSDAY | 6 FEBRUARY 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST Chandigarh, February 5 With the Metro Rail project still in the planning phase, the UT Administration has now shifted focus to strengthening the city bus service to address rising public transport needs. The issue was discussed at the Administrator’s Advisory Council meeting, where experts emphasised the need for better bus connectivity in Chandigarh and its surrounding areas. The Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), which handles surveys for the Metro project, has also recommended developing seven high-demand bus corridors to improve urban mobility and reduce dependence on private vehicles. These corridors have been identified based on areas with heavy daily commuter traffic, including routes frequented by students, government employees and private sector workers. The Administration had earlier asked RITES to explore alternatives to Metro for strengthening public transportation. In response, PROPOSED BUS CORRIDORS ■ ISBT, Sector-43, to New Chandigarh (21 km) ■ ISBT, Sector 87, Mohali, to Mansa Devi Complex (24 km) ■ ISBT, Sector 43, to ISBT, Panchkula (16 km) ■ ISBT, Sec 17, to ISBT, Kharar (19 km) ■ PGI/Dadu Majra to ISBT, Zirakpur (17 km) ■ PGI to ISBT, Panchkula (12 km) ■ ISBT-Kharar to ISBT, Zirakpur (12 km) the agency proposed significant improvements in the bus network, not only within Chandigarh but also extending service to Mohali, Zirakpur, New Chandigarh, Panchkula and Kharar in the coming years. To ensure a smooth commuting and minimise waiting times, RITES has recom- mended developing seven key bus corridors — ISBT Sector-43 to New Chandigarh (21km); ISBT Sector-87 Mohali to Mansa Devi Complex (24 km); ISBT Sector-43 to ISBT, Panchkula (16 km); ISBT Sector-17 to ISBT, Kharar (19 km); PGI/Dadu Majra to ISBT, Zirakpur (17 km); PGI to ISBT, Panchkula (12 km) and ISBT, Kharar, to ISBT, Zirakpur, (12 km). With increasing traffic on city roads, officials believe that improving bus frequency and connectivity will help attract commuters to the public transport. The high-demand corridors will ensure a seamless connectivity between key residential, commercial and institutional hubs. According to RITES projections, the tricity will require an increasing number of buses to meet the demand over the next three decades — 1,093 buses by 2027, 1,225 by 2032, 1,375 by 2037, 1,555 by 2042, 1,709 by 2047 and 1,877 buses by 2052. The Administration is expected to review the recommendations and take steps to enhance the city’s bus fleet in a phased manner while continuing work on the Metro Rail project. c m y b Chandigarh, February 5 In another setback to the UT Administration, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, has raised concerns over two major projects planned at the Capitol Complex, Sector 1, citing their potential impact on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, the institute has approved one of the three proposed projects. The report comes months after the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO, in September 2023, suspended three projects at the Capitol Complex for affecting its Outstanding Universal Value. Following the UNESCO decision, the UT Administration had sought a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) from IIT-Roorkee to evaluate the feasibil- ity of the projects. According to officials, IITRoorkee has expressed an adverse view on the holistic development plan for the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the construction of two additional floors on the High Court building. However, the institute has given a positive nod to the construction of a subterrain structure behind the Open Hand Monument at the Capitol Complex. UNESCO had raised con- cerns that the proposed projects could alter the integrity and authenticity of the Capitol Complex, which was designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier and added to the World Heritage list in 2016. Admn reconstitutes wildlife board Chandigarh, February 5 The UT Administration has reconstituted the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL), a key body responsible for granting wildlife clearance to major projects and setting guide- lines for wildlife protection in the Union Territory. According to notification issued by Mandeep Singh Brar, Secretary Home-cumForest, the Chandigarh Administrator will now serve as the Chairman of the board, while the Chief Secretary has been appointed as the Vice-Chairman. The newly reconstituted State Board for Wildlife consists of 20 members, includ- ing Mayor; councillor, recommended by Municipal Corporation; Secretary, Environment and Forests; Director General of Police (DGP); Chief Conservator of Continued on page 4