Makeover in offing for Sec-17 pvt buildings

Chandigarh administration is all set to start work on preservation and restoration of 216 privately owned buildings in Sector 17 at the cost of ₹3.5 crore

Strap: UT admn all set to start work on preservation and restoration of 216 privately owned buildings in Sector 17 at the cost of ₹3.5 crore

The preservation and restoration of 216 privately owned buildings in Sector 17, Chandigarh not only includes concrete cleaning but also the strengthening of buildings and colour coating. (HT File)

In sync with the plan to rejuvenate Chandigarh’s Sector 17, the UT administration is all set to start work on the preservation and restoration of 216 privately owned buildings in Sector 17 at the cost of ₹3.5 crore.

The UT administration had already completed the work on government buildings.

The Plaza, which is spread across 27 acres, has been sequenced into 17 zones with primary and overlapping activities to encourage several sequences of movement in various seasons and times of the day so that the area becomes a dynamic and self-sustaining entity.

As per the plan, the preservation and restoration of the privately owned buildings in Sector 17 include shop-cum-office (SCO) numbers 1 to 15 in Sector 17-D, SCO 17 to 34 in Sector 17-C, SCO 35 to 51 in Sector 17-C, SCO 71 to 100 in Sector 17-C and SCO 101 to 119 in Sector 17-C.

The work not only includes concrete cleaning but also the strengthening of buildings and colour coating, which is important to bring out the original texture and appearance. In most of the buildings, cracks have appeared.

The move is aimed at ensuring that buildings in the City Centre are able to get a longer life and present a heritage look.

The department of architecture and urban planning, UT administration, had already recommended that standard grey/white cement concrete needs to be ensured on the facade of all buildings in Sector 17.

UT chief engineer CB Ojha said tenders have already been floated and bids will be open on December 15 and work will be completed in one year. The work will include cleaning, recasting, and repairing.

Also, to prevent further damage and decay and to bring out the original character of the building, it would also be sand-blasted (the process of construction in which layers of the building gets removed), he said.

UT’s ambitious plan moving at snail’s pace

Envisaged four years ago to pump life back into Sector 17, the UT administration’s ambitious rejuvenation plan for the sector itself is progressing at a snail’s pace.

Over 10 months after the first deadline of December 2021 passed, 60% work on the ₹30-crore project is yet to be completed. With most of the work still held up, the UT administration has now set a fresh deadline of December 2023.

Conceived in October 2018, the rejuvenation plan includes vibrant landscaping, food courts, a new fountain, sculpture plaza, new pavements, plantation, furniture and uniform lighting to revamp the Sector-17 Plaza. But not one of these projects has gotten underway.

A 30x30 metre map of Chandigarh, which is being engraved in front of Neelam Theatre using metal, stone and concrete, is also in the works since 2019. An open-air theatre near Bank Square and a 180-metre tabletop pathway for pedestrians behind Neelam Cinema are also hanging fire.

The rejuvenation plan

Cost of the project – ₹3.5 crore

Completion date- 12 months

Number of buildings to be restored – 216

SCOs to get facelift

SCO Nos. 1 to 15 in Sector 17-D

SCO Nos.17 to 34, 35 to 51, 71 to 100 and 101 to 119 in Sector 17-C