Section 3 in Approval of Periphery Policy Report and other Allied Matters
3.
The Deliberations - Broad Policy Framework :3.1The Committee held numerous meetings and also formally obtained the comments of relevant Departments of the Government such as Revenue, Industries, Housing and Urban Development and Local Government. Views of the public at large were also sought through placement of advertisements in newspapers to which there was considerable response.3.2At the outset the Committee observed that it was first necessary to take into account the changing character of the city of Chandigarh. It was seen in this context that the city was initially conceived as the capital of post partition Punjab and its planning by and large reflected the needs thereof. Over time, however, Chandigarh is not only the administrative capital of two State Governments and a Union Territory but also an important commercial and institutional hub which houses the regional offices of Companies and Institutions catering to several States in the northern region. It has also become an important investment destination for Indian and Multinational Companies. The changed character of the city has put considerable pressure on housing and social infrastructure, which was not initially catered for. There is also increased need for connectivity and the provision of civic amenities. A special mention needs to be made of a large population of the city, which is unable to afford housing on account of its very high cost and has gravitated into the villages in the immediate vicinity of the city as well as several unplanned and unauthorized new colonies. It is in this backdrop that a fresh look has to be taken of the regulatory framework that governs the area immediately surrounding the city of Chandigarh so that the future needs of the city can be adequately catered for in a planned manner.3.3It is also necessary to take note of the fact that even with all difficulties being faced, Chandigarh is still one of the more liveable cities in the northern region. With its close proximity and easy connectivity to the national capital, it has also become an attractive investment destination. It would, in the view of the Committee, not be realistic for any State Government not to take advantage of this opportunity and leverage its proximity to Chandigarh to its best economic interest. Thus, industrial promotion in the vicinity of Chandigarh has also to be envisaged and provided for.3.4In the light of the issues brought out in the foregoing paragraphs, the broad policy framework within which the Committee approached the entire issue of controlling the periphery of Chandigarh are enumerated below :-(a)Housing for the increasing population of the city is perhaps the most urgent requirement that has to be provided for. In that context, a realistic view has to be taken of existing unauthorized structures. Policy also needs to cater for the normal growth of village populations as well as migration from outside specially of persons from economically weaker sections.(b)It is necessary also to take into account the increased attraction of the city and its environment as in investment destination.(c)Catering for further growth would involve heavy investment in road connectivity, provision of civic amenities, electricity, water supply and sewerage. Accordingly, it was considered desirable that the overall policy framework should also generate adequate resources for the provision of such facilities. A multidisciplinary sub-group was asked to advise on the imposition of such charges after studying the existing pattern in neighbouring State of Haryana.(d)The Committee noted the wide disparity between the level of civic and urban infrastructure in the city and its surrounding towns and villages. Accordingly, the available resources needed to be suitably deployed to ensure balanced growth. Such resources, it was felt could also be raised and credited towards a dedicated fund which could be used for developing and upgrading basic infrastructure in the periphery area and specially for the settlements therein.
