16 more courtrooms to come up at new HC building

In a significant decision-which will put an end to the perennial problem of lack of infrastructure for new judges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court...

In a significant decision — which will put an end to the perennial problem of lack of infrastructure for new judges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court — the HC Building Committee has given a green signal to the construction of 16 new courtrooms in the new building. Lack of courtrooms has been stated as a major roadblock in appointment of new judges.

A feasibility report in this regard was sought by the High Court from a retired professor of the Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. The professor submitted that 16 courtrooms can well be constructed on the High Court premises.

These courtrooms will be constructed above the first floor. The committee has directed the UT Architecture department to examine the report submitted by the professor and chalk out a plan for the construction of the courtrooms. Work on the project is expected to begin within three months and the courtrooms are likely to be inaugurated by the Chief Justice of India, Justice K G Balakrishnan.

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There are a total of 52 courtrooms in the High Court building against the sanctioned number of 68. With 16 more rooms, the sanctioned target will be achieved.

In another decision, which will to put an end to parking chaos, the Building Committee is contemplating the idea of mechanical parking. To demonstrate the concept, four companies will also give a demonstration on the High Court premises on Friday.

Once operational, the mechanical parking will allow an advocate to simply park his vehicle in a multi-level parking area. The vehicle will be automatically lifted by a crane and taken to the assigned floor.