With the Capitol Complex being declared a World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in the year 2016, the Chandigarh Administration remains in a fix over the long pending demand of expansion of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

While a proposal was mooted for the construction of an additional building and an additional floor over the existing parking and the lawyers’ chamber building, the Administration is unlikely to give a green signal to these proposals, in view of the recommendations of the subgroup of Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee.

The CHCC’s subgroup, which had visited the High Court premises earlier this month, has expressed apprehensions over the revised proposal of construction of ground plus three-level building (G +3) under the expansion plan of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on a 3,21,000 sq ft area, besides recommending that previous development plan for “ground plus two levels” or “ground plus one level” for setting up, judicial and general branches, courtrooms, lawyers’ chambers could be looked into.

The sub group is also of the view that the proposal for additional floors over the existing parking and the lawyers’ chamber building could be looked into but it will also have negative visual impact.

“The CHCC cannot give a go ahead to construction of G +3 building under HC expansion plan as it will have negative visual impact. Similarly, another proposal of additional floors over the existing parking and the lawyers’ chamber building would also have negative visual impact but could be explored to  cater to the  present   as  well as future  requirement,” said a member of subgroup of CHCC, which was first constituted in 2012 to supervise the architectural preservation plans in the city.

The member said that the sub group has submitted its recommendations to the UT Administration. While we cannot alter the iconic building of HC, we can still explore the area around the main building. For any construction in the premises, we will also have to inform the UNESCO, the member added.

“The sub group is also of the view that the burden on the existing infrastructure will continue to increase in the coming years, hence a long term plan should be prepared which may include shifting or relocation of some of the offices of Court. Construction of additional floors or additional building are not the long term solutions,” the member added.

Notably, the Capitol Complex, known as UNESCO World Heritage site is an administrative hub of two states namely Punjab and Haryana and has buildings of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Haryana and Punjab Secretariat and Assembly, open hand monument and other significant buildings.