The underpass connecting Punjab University and PGI in Chandigarh, which has been stuck in files for 8 years, is now moving towards final approval. The Chandigarh administration has prepared its revised budget and sent it for approval. As soon as the budget is approved, the tender process will be started. The administration aims to complete the construction of this underpass by June next year.
Earlier the cost of this underpass was estimated to be Rs 7 crore, but due to years of waiting, design changes and increase in construction cost, its revised budget has now almost doubled.
Approval sought from Urban Planning in March
In February this year, a consultancy company from Mohali submitted the structural stability, economic survey and drawing report of the underpass to the Engineering Department. After this, the administration sought formal approval from the Urban Planning Department in March. Now after getting the approval of Urban Planning, the approval of the revised budget is awaited.
The administration plans to shift the water and sewer pipelines towards PU and PGI in the time given during the tender process so that there is no hindrance in the work. After this, the selected company will have to complete the construction work in 9 months.
20 shops, 12 approved
According to the architectural design of the underpass, it will be 14 meters wide and 12 shops will be built inside it. Earlier there was a plan to build 20 shops here but the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee approved only 12 shops. Each shop will be about 80 square feet.