Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday pointed out that there is no institutional arrangement to involve Punjab and Haryana in development of Chandigarh.
While sharing his views in a panel discussion on “Future of Chandigarh” here, Hooda said that he and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal do not have any say in development of Chandigarh.“We are never asked to give comments or suggestions for development of Chandigarh”, he added. To support his point of view, Hooda reminded that in case of Bhakhra Dam, views of stake holders are taken before reaching any decision.
He also regretted that the arrangement of 60:40 ratio made between Punjab and Haryana for Chandigarh has now been disturbed.On the issue of metro rail project for the tri-city of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali, Hooda thanked Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shivraj Patil for convening a meeting and also offered help of the State Government in the project.
Requesting the UT Administrator to have more links between Chandigarh and Panchkula, he pointed out the lack of adequate connectivity between the two cities saying that while Mohali has eight links to Chandigarh, Panchkula has only one. While detailing out his plans to take the pressure off Chandigarh, Hooda said that the State Government has already prepared a number of development plans including development of Panchkula township, Panchkula extension, Mansa Devi Complex and Kot-Behla Urban complex.
A large township has also been planned as Pinjore-Kalka Urban Complex for a population of five lakhs. The entire periphery zone, extending upto 10 miles from the outer boundary of Chandigarh has already been planned for a population of 14.23 lakhs by 2021 AD. With a view to maintain the green character of the adjoining areas, Haryana has planned urbanisation of only 10,848 hectares while leaving 21,244 hectares outside the urbanisable zone of development plans, but having periphery controls, he added.
He added, negotiations have been held with the authorities of the Post-graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), to set up its extension in Panchkula on the pattern of an extension of AIIMS, New Delhi in Badhsa in district Jhajjar of Haryana. The Chief Minister said that he would not like to touch any political issue at this forum, but reiterated that Punjab and Haryana should have independent High Courts of their own located in Chandigarh. “This is my request”, he added.