Need to tackle traffic problem in city: Patil

Maintaining the basic character and beauty of the city,problems of traffic,feasibility of metro in city and the modalities regarding functioning of the standing committees were on the top-agenda items discussed during the second meeting of the Administrator’s Advisory Council,here today. The meeting,which was held at UT State Guest House,was chaired by UT Administrator-cum-Punjab Governor Shivraj V Patil and attended by Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources Pawan Kumar Bansal. The other members of the council,besides senior officers of the Administration,too participated in the council’s meeting.

Two major issues — how to make Chandigarh capable of meeting the demands of the citizens and how to handle the problems of traffic in the city. Initiating the discussion,Patil emphasised the need to preserve Chandigarh with its heritage and historical concepts. He also emphasized on the immediate need to tackle the problem of traffic in the city. Members of the Council submitted their suggestions during the meeting. Participating in the discussion,Pawan Kumar Bansal expressed his happiness over the wealth of suggestions received from the members of the Council. Bansal suggested that there should be ‘action taken reports’ after each Standing Committee has made its recommendations. further suggested that the Standing Committees of the Administrator’s Advisory Council should try to work on the pattern of Standing Committees of Parliament.

Patil stated that based on the suggestions received from members,plans will be made and adequate resources will be managed for implementing the decisions. “Assistance of Government of India,wherever required,will be sought. Long term planning is required to be made keeping in view the changed requirements. Steps have already been initiated for preparation of a new master plan for the city”,Patil stated in the meeting.

Regarding the idea of permitting multi-storey buildings in city,Patil stated that such buildings should not be allowed to be constructed in city. Regarding the traffic problem,Patil stated that a public awareness campaign would be launched in the city and Metro will definitely help in bringing a big relief to the city residents. Regarding a suggestion mooted during the meeting,to restrict the number of vehicles in the city,Patil said,“restricting the number of vehicles in the city is a decision which will have far reaching implications and the Administration would like to go with the Government of India’s policies in this regard. Similarly the issue regarding imposition of congestion tax would require proper examination.”