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Chandigarh not a World Heritage City, but first 30 sectors protected

The issue of Chandigarh’s status as a World Heritage City was raised by Congress leader Manish Tewari, who represents it in Lok Sabha.

The Capitol Complex designed by Le Corbusier is inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a part of the transnational serial inscription ‘The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement’. (Express File Image)

The Centre informed Parliament on Monday that Chandigarh has not been designated as a World Heritage City after Congress MP Manish Tewari raised a query regarding its status.

Tewari, who represents Chandigarh in Lok Sabha, also sought details of designated heritage cities in India, along with a country-wise list of heritage cities across the world.

Tewari asked the Minister of Culture, “Whether the Union Territory of Chandigarh is designated as a heritage city, and what are the specific or established criteria for designating a city as a heritage city by the Government of India, UNESCO, or any other international organisation?”

In response, Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, “The Union Territory of Chandigarh City has not been designated as a World Heritage City.” He added, “However, the Chandigarh Capitol Complex was inscribed as a Transnational World Heritage Property in 2016 under the title ‘The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement.’ This Transnational World Heritage Property includes seven countries: Argentina, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Japan, and India.”

Shekhawat further clarified, “According to the UNESCO Operational Guidelines, 2024, any World Heritage property, including a World Heritage City, must fulfill one or more outlined criteria.”

India has two designated heritage cities: Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Jaipur in Rajasthan.

In Chandigarh, every major project, from subway construction to the installation of lights at historical sites, requires approval from the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee.

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There have also been past representations by some individuals regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on banning apartmentalisation in the first 30 sectors of the city.

Deepika Gandhi, former director of the Le Corbusier Centre, said, “Yes, of course. The whole city has never been nominated or even claimed to be a World Heritage site. But the administration itself has declared the first 30 sectors as a Heritage Grade 1 zone. This has the approval of the Government of India.”

Similarly, ML Sarin said, “The Supreme Court judgment clearly states that the first 30 sectors have to be protected because they are Corbusian sectors. The judgment should be read properly.”

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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