The journey of Chandigarh in the first two decades of the 21st century evokes mixed feelings of satisfaction (over what the city has achieved) and disappointment (over the failure to meet the needs of a growing city).
The city has more than doubled its population since 2000. PGI then lacked many modern facilities and has over the time added advanced centres in many super specialities, like a new trauma centre, gamma knife, and additions to the department of nuclear physics, besides important upgrades. Chandigarh then was without the iconic Rajiv Gandhi IT Park. It has now provided jobs to thousands of young IT professionals and boosted the city’s economy.
In 2000, Chandigarh had only a few sector parks, gardens and the Leisure Valley. All other parks and gardens, especially those in southern sectors, were added much later. Unfortunately, their upkeep has taken a hit in the last four years.
A new bus stand in Sector 43 was constructed to ease the load of the ISBT in Sector 17. The number of trains to and from Chandigarh was only a few. New trains were introduced in the year 2012-13 and the city is now connected to all key destinations. As the airport in the civil enclave of the IAF station failed to meet the growing requirement, a modern terminal in place of the old one was built and then came the Mohali side terminal.
The number of motor vehicles has multiplied manifold and roads have been widened regularly but the shortage of parking space is still unaddressed.
Panjab University (PU), which had a few seats in departments and hostels, now has new institutes on south campus. The commerce college is a recent addition. Some government schools then ran without basic amenities and some did not even have desks and chairs. No more so. Many smart schools have been added and others upgraded.
In 2000, the city was without hockey and football academies as also various sports complexes. The increase in the population called for more housing stock and need-based addition to the CHB flats. In 2006, a plan was chalked out to make the city slum-free; major work was done, though it has been running somewhat late.
The new Sector 38 West was not on the city landscape then. Community centres also were a few in 2000. Under the decision to build a community centre in each sector, many modern, spacious centres came up.
The district courts in Sector 17 too needed more space and had to be shifted to a new complex in Sector 43. A problem that has aggravated recently is of garbage disposal. Ten years ago, the Dadumajra dumping ground was covered with fresh soil and the top converted into a beautiful park. It now presents an unseemly sight and has become a health hazard. No concrete steps have been taken to rid the city of daily garbage.
