Latest news with #ChandigarhAdministration
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
New rules for motor vehicle aggregators notified in Chandigarh
Chandigarh: With the Chandigarh administration notifying the 'Chandigarh Administration Motor Vehicles Aggregators Rules, 2025', the aggregators may provide pooling facilities to riders whose details and KYC are available. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These riders shall be travelling along the same route but with varied stoppages from one point to another under a virtual contract through the app. The rules further stipulate that female passengers seeking to avail themselves of ride pooling shall also be provided the option to pool only with other female passengers. The pooling facilities shall be available within certain kilometres of detour from the route assigned to be undertaken for a destination specified by the first rider in such a vehicle. The Chandigarh Administration may, by way of notification, relax the detour specifications to provide accessibility in urban agglomerations and areas beyond the limits of municipal corporations, stipulate the rules. Special emphasis is laid on the safety of the riders. For this, the rules stipulate ensuring the appropriate functioning of the Global Positioning System (GPS) installed in the vehicle and providing efficient resolution for any issues that may develop in its functioning. The aggregator shall ensure the installation of Vehicle Location Tracking Devices and an Emergency Alert System in vehicles registered in other states also for the safety of passengers as per MoRTH guidelines. Additionally, the aggregator must ensure that the driver plies the vehicle on the route assigned on the app. In non-compliance with the same, a mechanism should be developed wherein the app device indicates the fault to the driver, and the control room of the aggregator immediately communicates with the driver regarding the same. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To ensure the safety of women employees and drivers, the aggregator should introduce mechanisms to protect their rights, in compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The aggregator must enforce a mechanism on the app to ensure that the identity of the driver undertaking a trip is the same as the one enlisted with the aggregator, requiring verification every time a trip is accepted. Regular spot checks of vehicles should be integrated with the aggregator by personnel authorised by such an aggregator. The rules also aim to regulate fares. The taxi fare shall be notified by the Chandigarh Administration from time to time. The minimum fare chargeable to customers availing themselves of aggregator services shall be for a minimum of 3 kilometres to compensate for dead mileage and the distance travelled and fuel utilised for picking up the customers. The aggregator shall not be permitted to charge more than the taxi fare fixed by the Chandigarh Administration from time to time. However, the aggregator can charge a fare up to 20% lower than the taxi fare fixed by the Chandigarh Administration under intimation to the office of the State Transport Authority, UT Chandigarh. The driver of a vehicle integrated with the aggregator shall receive at least 80% of the fare applicable on each ride, and the remaining charges for each ride shall be received by the aggregator.
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
11th International Yoga Day: Chandigarh radiates vibrant energy as over 33,000 perform yoga
Chandigarh came alive with vibrant energy and collective spirit as 33,000 participants performed yoga asanas across 312 locations, including dispensaries, parks, educational institutions, community centres, etc., to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga on Saturday, an UT Administration official said. The main event was held at Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17, where over 2,000 citizens from all age groups performed yoga, embracing this year's themes — 'Yoga for Self and Society' and 'One Earth, One Health.' Punjab governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria led the celebrations as the chief guest. He highlighted yoga's transformation from an ancient Indian tradition to a global movement, calling it 'a people's movement' that not only strengthens individuals but also unites communities across boundaries. Kataria also administered a pledge for a 'Nasha Mukt Chandigarh' (Addiction-Free Chandigarh). Several dignitaries, including Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla, Home Secretary Mandeep Singh Brar, Finance Secretary Diprava Lakra, Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar, Health Secretary Ajay Chagti, among other senior officials of the Chandigarh Administration participated in the event at Tiranga Urban Park. More than 2,000 yoga enthusiasts, representing various sectors, participated in the mass session. These included members of the Directorate of AYUSH, Department of Tourism, government colleges, central government departments, and institutions like the Government College of Yoga Education and Health. In parallel, a special yoga session at the iconic Rock Garden saw the participation of over 1,500 people, including Anganwadi workers, children from Child Care Institutions, and officials from the Department of Social Welfare. The session included yoga demonstrations by AYUSH trainers and a symbolic tree plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. Judges, judicial officials perform yoga International Day of Yoga was celebrated with great fervour on the Punjab and Haryana High Court premises in Chandigarh under the aegis of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu. High Court judges, members of the HC Bar Association, court officers and officials actively performed various yoga asanas and meditation exercises under the guidance of a yoga trainer. The event, themed 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', was observed in alignment with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Ayush. Inmates perform yoga at Model Jail Nearly 250 inmates participated in the yoga session conducted under the guidance of Dr Anish Garg, a Gold Medalist in Science of Living (FC-SEDE) and an MD in acupressure, at Model Jail in Chandigarh on Saturday. Inmate Pardeep Kumar and other convicted inmates shared their testimonies about how daily yoga practice positively impacted their physical health, mental stability and overall outlook on life. Yoga is synchrony of inner and outer self: PGI director More than 3,350 doctors, healthcare workers, faculty, students, staff and their families performed yoga asanas at an event organised by Collaborative Centre for Mind-Body Intervention through Yoga (CCRYN) at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, on Saturday. Addressing the gathering, PGI Director Prof Vivek Lal emphasised the significance of yoga in maintaining overall wellbeing, stating, 'Yoga is the synchrony of inner and outer self, a profound practice that nurtures physical health, mental clarity, and emotional stability. It is a vital tool for fostering harmony within ourselves and with the environment, especially in these challenging times. I encourage everyone, students, faculty, staff, and families, to make yoga an integral part of their lifelong journey towards health and inner peace.'
Indian Express
21-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Chandigarh achieves 100% wastewater treatment capacity
With the treatment capacity exceeding its wastewater generation, Chandigarh has achieved a significant milestone in environmental management. The city currently generates approximately 232 million litres per day (MLD) of wastewater, against a treatment capacity of about 255 MLD — marking over 100 per cent treatment capability. This development was highlighted during a review meeting chaired by Rajeev Verma, chief secretary, UT Chandigarh, to assess compliance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a matter of 2018 regarding the compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Mandip Singh Brar, secretary (environment and local government), Chandigarh Administration; Diprava Lakra, Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration; Saurabh Kumar, director (environment), Chandigarh Administration; Amit Kumar, commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh; C B Ojha, Chief Engineer, Engineering Department, Chandigarh Administration; and Sanjay Arora, chief engineer, MC. Kumar, who also serves as member secretary of CPCC, briefed the gathering on the city's waste management performance. All Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are under close monitoring, and expert consultations are underway to ensure full compliance with prescribed norms. Weekly reviews are being held to ensure that no untreated sewage is discharged into natural drains. The laying of a tertiary treated water distribution network is progressing steadily, with connections being extended to parks, roundabouts, road berms, kanal houses, institutions, and industrial units, the official said. Regarding solid waste, the city generates about 500 tonnes per day (TPD), which is collected door-to-door by the MC using specially designed compartmentalised vehicles. This waste is entirely processed, and the bioremediation of legacy waste is currently in progress, targeted for completion by July 2025. Leachate from the landfill is being managed via two operational leachate treatment plants (LTPs). The Chief Secretary directed that all remaining works be expedited and completed within the set de Strict instructions were issued to ensure that no untreated wastewater enters the choes or drains, and no solid waste is dumped across the city. Departments were asked to implement detailed plans to prevent illegal dumping, especially at vulnerable sites, and begin phased installation of CCTV cameras for enforcement under MC's Bye-Laws 2018. He also instructed the civic body to intensify efforts in waste segregation through surprise inspections and impose fines on violators, along with maintaining strict vigilance against solid waste burning.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Punjab and Haryana HC disposes of Chandigarh slum dwellers' resettlement plea
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has disposed of a petition filed by Sanjay Patel and others seeking resettlement after being removed from land owned by the Chandigarh Administration. The case, which has been in court for over a decade, is the latest in a long legal tussle between the petitioners and the authorities. The High Court bench of Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Aman Chaudhary passed the order on June 19. The petitioners had approached the court after their earlier attempt to enforce a 2016 court decision in their favour was rejected last year. The dispute began in 2012, when the petitioners — slum residents — had gone to a civil court, challenging their removal from the land. In 2016, the court partly ruled in their favour, saying two things: first, they could only be evicted through legal means, and secondly, the government should consider their claim for resettlement under welfare policies for slum dwellers. However, when the petitioners tried to act on this 2016 ruling by filing another case in 2019 to make the administration carry it out, the court rejected it in 2023. The judge in that case said the earlier order (called a decree) was limited in what it allowed, and the court couldn't go beyond what had already been stated. In its June 19 judgment, the High Court agreed with that view. It noted that the land belongs to the Chandigarh Administration and that the petitioners' claims had already been looked into and turned down. The court said the earlier judgment had run its course and could not be stretched to give the petitioners further relief. The petitioners had likely hoped the court would rely on a landmark 1985 Supreme Court judgment (Olga Tellis vs. Bombay Municipal Corporation), which held that eviction of slum dwellers without resettlement violated their right to life. But the High Court said that case didn't help in this situation because the Chandigarh Administration had already examined and rejected the petitioners' claims based on city development plans under the Chandigarh Master Plan. While disposing of the case, the court said the petitioners were still free to challenge the latest order passed by the Chandigarh Administration on June 18, 2025, if they wish to pursue the matter further. The case was argued by advocates Anil Mehta and Sukriti Kaur for the petitioners. The Chandigarh Administration was represented by senior standing counsel Amit Jhanji, along with Sumeet Jain and Himanshu Arora.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Demolitions since 2007 result in UT admn reclaiming 500 acres of land
With the latest demolition of Adarsh Colony in Sector 53 and 54 on Thursday and the action on 18 other illegal colonies, the Chandigarh Administration has reclaimed 500 acres of its land from the drive that began in 2007. According to official records, the demolition drive against the illegal colonies established in Chandigarh began 18 years ago, when on May 6, 2007, a large chunk of slums in Janta Colony, Sector 25, was demolished along with Kumhar Colony, as part of the city's slum-free campaign. The demolition led to the removal of approximately 2,500 shanties and displaced around 5,000 residents. The 10-acre area was reclaimed by the UT Administration from this action. While 2.5 acres of land was cleared at SBS Colony in Mauli Jagran in 2010, 40 acres from the demolition of Rajiv Colony and 55 acres from Colony Number 5 in 2013. In 2014, 89 acres of land was reclaimed with the demolition of Kalyan Colony and 65 acres from Ambedkar Colony. The same year also saw the demolition of Nehru Colony, Pandit Colony, and Kuldeep Colony, with 38 acres of land taken back by the administration. Another 30 acres of land each was cleared from the demolition of Majdoor Colony and Madrasi Colony, while 50 acres from razing Kabari Colony in 2014. With the demolition of Gursagar Colony in Maloya and Lal Bahadur Shastri Colony in Palsora in 2016, 3 and 20 acres of land respectively were reclaimed by the administration. In 2022, 65 acres of land was recovered with demolition of Colony Number 4, and 6 acres of land from Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area in 2025. On June 19, the Administration took back 12 acres of land with the demolition of Adarsh Colony. Following the demolition of Adarsh Colony, only one slum — Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 — will remain, which has about 300 shanties spread across four acres of government land, valued at Rs 150 crore. In 2006, the UT administration launched a rehabilitation initiative under the Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme, earmarking 356 acres for the construction of 25,728 flats intended to house 23,841 families from 18 unauthorised colonies. According to an official, the Chandigarh Administration has rehabilitated around 28,000 people, who had been living in the unauthorised colonies, since 2006 under the Economic Weaker Section (EWS) scheme. On the encroachment of the Government lands in Chandigarh, Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh said that, 'teams have been made and each of its offices has been assigned 2-3 sectors'. 'They shall report on a weekly basis about any encroachment in their area,' he added. The Chandigarh DC has clarified that the demolition drive is not just about reclaiming land but sending a clear message that illegal encroachments will not be tolerated. 'The reclaimed land will now be utilized in accordance with planned urban development goals to benefit the larger community, ' Yadav added.
