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The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the Chandigarh Administration to revisit the holistic expansion plan for the High Court and provide clarity on alternative sites, environmental objections, and heritage restrictions, even as it issued a slew of directions on improving traffic flow, allocating new office space, and easing infrastructure pressures within the existing complex.
The directions were issued by a Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry on August 1, during the hearing of a batch of petitions led by Vinod Dhatterwal, secretary of the HC Employees Association, and others against the Central Government.
The litigation pertains to issues around space shortage, congestion, and possible relocation of the High Court to a new site in Chandigarh.
In its interim order, the court recorded a fresh affidavit from the Chandigarh Administration and directed immediate and mid-term measures while reiterating that it had not shelved the exploration of alternative sites for the High Court complex.
Sector 17 building handed over to High Court administration
The court was informed that the repair and interior work of four floors of a building at SCO No 54-55-56, Sector 17-A, Chandigarh, had been completed. The premises — comprising basement, ground, first, and second floors — are now ready to house the administrative branches of the High Court.
In open court, UT Administration’s counsel handed over the keys to Smriti Dhir, Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Registrar (Rules). The Bench directed the Registrar (Rules) to take physical possession of the building immediately and begin shifting branches as per the Building Committee’s direction. A compliance report is to be submitted within three days.
Traffic chaos on court premises: Deployment of DSPs ordered
Responding to concerns raised by S S Narula, President of the High Court Bar Association, the court took note of the regular traffic jams during morning and evening hours that have been causing inconvenience to lawyers and litigants.
The Bench asked the UT Administration to deploy two deputy superintendents of police (Traffic), along with an adequate number of traffic police personnel, between 8.30 am and 10.30 am, and from 3 pm to 5 pm, daily within the High Court premises. The arrangement will come into effect from August 5.
Kutcha parking upgrade plan under consideration
The UT Administration submitted a proposal for laying green pavers, planting trees, and organising parking in the kutcha area. The court instructed it to share the proposal with the Bar Association, which will file its comments within a week. The Registry has been directed to forward both the proposal and the Bar’s feedback to the High Court’s Building Committee for consideration.
Verandah outside Courtroom No. 1 to be completed by August 25
Construction work on a verandah outside Courtroom No. 1 has begun. The court recorded the assurance of the UT’s senior standing counsel that the work would be completed by August 25.
No clear plan yet for HC relocation to Sarangpur or IT Park
The High Court expressed concern over the lack of any “acceptable plan” for relocating the organisation to either Sarangpur village or the IT Park.
Noting the heavy traffic congestion at the Sector 12-PGIMER junction that lies en route to Sarangpur, the court observed, “An underpass may not be feasible and viable, especially in the rainy season… The entire traffic of Chandigarh as well as Panchkula and partly of Mohali will take the route through Sector 12-PGIMER chauraha. This, in all likelihood, will cause delay and inconvenience to the judges, members of the Bar, employees, litigants, as well as other stakeholders”.
As for the IT Park, the UT Administration informed the court that the site falls under the flight path of migratory birds visiting Sukhna Lake, and that environmental and building clearance from the Wildlife Board may not be granted.
The Bench observed that in the absence of a feasible solution, it would be appropriate to revisit the holistic expansion plan.
Joint meeting to be chaired by Satya Pal Jain
The Bar Association has agreed to hold a joint meeting with senior UT officials at 4.30 pm on August 7 in the Bar Association Hall. The court requested Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain to preside over the meeting. The UT Administration has been directed to share all relevant documents—including site sketches and maps—with Bar office bearers ahead of the meeting “with the ultimate object of taking the holistic plan ahead”.
A report of the meeting is to be filed before the next hearing.
UT to answer heritage, environmental concerns
The Bench directed the UT Administration to file an affidavit addressing several queries before the next hearing on August 13.
The affidavit must clarify whether the holistic plan could be approved if the number of proposed courtrooms is reduced, and detail the restrictions previously cited by the UT Administration. It must also include documentary proof of environmental objections regarding the IT Park, copies of NOCs and approvals granted to The Lalit Hotel near the same area, and records of any restrictions imposed by the Wildlife Board.
The court clarified that its current direction to explore the holistic plan “ought not to be an indication of this Court having given up the exploration for an alternate site for the High Court at IT Park/Sarangpur village or any other site.”
The next date of hearing is scheduled for August 13.
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