High Court Revives Holistic Expansion Plan as Chandigarh Hands Over Sector 17 Building for Record Storage

In a significant development for judicial infrastructure in the region, the Punjab and Haryana High Court is set to revisit its original holistic expansion plan, years after it was shelved due to heritage concerns and logistical disagreements. The move comes alongside the Chandigarh Administration’s formal handover of a renovated building in Sector 17 to the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, which will now serve as a dedicated facility for storing court records.

 

This newsletter explores the revival of the court’s expansion blueprint, the implications of the Sector 17 handover, and the broader infrastructure challenges being addressed.

 

Key Highlights from the Court Hearing

 

- Chief Justice Sheel Nagu proposed revisiting a scaled-down version of the original holistic development plan  

- The plan includes constructing up to 100 courtrooms within the existing High Court premises  

- The Bar Council suggested utilizing 8 acres of open land behind the current court building  

- A meeting is scheduled for August 7 to finalize the revised proposal  

- Chandigarh Administration handed over keys to a renovated building in Sector 17 for court record storage  

- The handover occurred during the same hearing that addressed parking and traffic issues near the High Court  

 

Background: A Plan Once Shelved

 

The original holistic development plan for the High Court was dropped following a negative report by IIT Roorkee, which raised concerns about heritage preservation and structural feasibility. Alternative sites such as Sarangpur and IT Park were considered, but failed to gain consensus due to logistical and legal complexities.

 

Now, with renewed urgency and stakeholder alignment, the court is reconsidering a scaled-down version of the plan that retains the emotional and architectural significance of the existing premises.

 

Sector 17 Building: A Strategic Handover

 

The Chandigarh Administration’s decision to hand over a renovated building in Sector 17 marks a practical step toward decongesting the High Court. The facility will be used to store judicial records, freeing up valuable space within the main complex for courtroom expansion and administrative functions.

 

This move is expected to:

 

- Improve record management and accessibility  

- Reduce spatial pressure on the High Court’s existing infrastructure  

- Enable smoother implementation of the revised expansion plan  

 

Parking and Traffic Concerns

 

The hearing also addressed persistent issues of traffic congestion and inadequate parking near the High Court. A landscaping consultant’s proposal submitted on July 22 recommended a katcha parking lot with capacity for 783 cars, up from the initial 400. The plan includes:

 

- 18×10 feet allocation per car  

- 7.5-foot berm between opposing rows  

 

However, the Bar Association raised concerns over unclear dimensional units, prompting the court to direct the administration to share revised drawings with stakeholders.

 

Traffic congestion from Gate 1 to the Rock Garden remains a contentious issue. The Bar Association alleged that indiscriminate parking by lawyers worsens the situation, while the UT Administration reported resistance faced by traffic police when issuing challans.

 

Balancing Heritage and Expansion

 

The High Court’s location within Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—has long complicated expansion efforts. The revised plan aims to respect heritage constraints while addressing the urgent need for more courtrooms and administrative space.

 

The Bar Council’s proposal to use adjacent open land reflects a pragmatic approach that balances preservation with functionality.

 

Conclusion: A Step Toward Judicial Infrastructure Reform

 

The revival of the High Court’s holistic development plan and the Sector 17 building handover represent a coordinated effort to modernize judicial infrastructure without compromising heritage values. As stakeholders prepare for the August 7 meeting, the focus remains on creating a more efficient, accessible, and future-ready court complex.

 

Sources: Indian Express, Hindustan Times, The Tribune