UT administration to start PU-PGI underpass in Chandigarh

UT administration to start PU-PGI underpass in Chandigarh for convenience of the patients visiting PGI.

The UT Administration starts construction on a pedestrian underpass in Chandigarh connecting Panjab University and the Punjab Government Institute. Thousands of patients and attendants who would cross the busy road will benefit from the underpass.

The underpass, is to cost about Rs7.20 crore, will be 15 metres wide and 38 metres long. It will have 12 stores, such as Photostat, where patients and their companions could get basic services in one place.

Apart from the stairwell, the underpass in Chandigarh will have lifts. There will also be escalators to help the elderly and those in wheelchairs.

The design of the underpass received in-principle approval from UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore in November 2019.

The administration receives a request by the traffic police of the need for an underpass between Panjab University and PGI. This is due to a heavy rush of patients and their attendants. As thousands of people from neighboring states visit the medical institute for treatment every day.

Buses drop off passengers on the road directly across from the hospital’s main entrance. This ends up forcing them to cross the road in heavy traffic, which is a dangerous situation.

Furthermore, due to heavy traffic on both sides of the lane, people must wait to cross the road.

Underpass in Chandigarh

The Engineering Department conducted a survey for the construction of the underpass in Chandigarh after receiving approval from UT Administrator. The underpass would help with hassle-free vehicular and pedestrian movement.

The city’s first pedestrian underpass was built to link Sectors 17 and 22 at the bus station. And the second was built to link Sector 17 and the Rose Garden.

The Chandigarh administration’s engineering department has written to the municipal corporation’s engineering department. They are requesting information on utilities such as water distribution supply lines, feeding to the water works, and so on.

Since all of these facilities need a new location, a financial estimate for the relocation will get a green flag until the plans are final for an underpass in chandigarh.

“At this time, only details are there, and then they will decide which department, the UT administration or the municipal corporation, will carry out the shifting work from the region to start the underpass construction work. A financial estimate will also be there according to the nature of the work, as per an official.

There are two pedestrian underpasses in Chandigarh: sectors 17 and 22 dividing road and sectors 16 and 17 dividing roads at Rose Garden; however, this will be the city’s first pedestrian-cum-wheelchair underpass scheme, with special provisions for patients and the elderly.

Mansi Ghai