Chandigarh at a Crossroads: Can Progress and Heritage Coexist?

Chandigarh was designed to breathe. Every road, every sector, every open space was part of a rhythm, a balance between movement and stillness, modernity and calm. Today, that rhythm faces a test at Tribune Chowk, one of the city’s busiest junctions where a proposed flyover has sparked debate.

The Case for the Flyover

Supporters make a practical point. Traffic at Tribune Chowk is getting worse every year. Vehicles from the highway merge with local traffic, causing long delays. Officials believe a six-lane elevated flyover will solve this, cutting travel time, reducing fuel waste, and lowering emissions from idling cars. It’s a clear, visible solution that promises efficiency.

The Case Against

But for many citizens, planners, and architects, Chandigarh isn’t just another city, it’s a living heritage. Designed by Le Corbusier, it was built on principles that celebrated light, proportion, and openness, free from visual clutter. Critics worry that a flyover would break that design philosophy, setting a precedent for short-term, infrastructure-heavy fixes that could slowly erode what makes Chandigarh special: its harmony between people, architecture, and nature.

Why This Debate Matters

This debate is not about nostalgia; it’s about sustainability. Urban studies show that large flyovers often shift congestion, not solve it. They attract more vehicles, a phenomenon called induced demand (it means when something becomes available in more quantity, people start using it more) and divert investment from better, long-term mobility solutions. They also harden surfaces, trap heat, and alter the microclimate of surrounding neighbourhoods. So, while the project might ease traffic today, it could make the city less livable tomorrow.

Smarter Ways Forward

The answer doesn’t have to be a flyover. Chandigarh may just need a tune-up, not an overhaul.

1. Smarter Signals, Smoother Flow

Use traffic signals that “think.” With sensors and cameras, signals can change timings based on real-time traffic. If one road is crowded, the green stays on longer, keeping vehicles moving without wasting fuel or time. Chandigarh already uses some smart signals; expanding this citywide could make a real difference.

2. Redesign, Don’t Raise

At Tribune Chowk, the issue isn’t space, it’s movement. Instead of building above the ground, engineers can redesign how vehicles cross paths on it. Adding turning lanes or continuous flow junctions can smooth traffic without disturbing the skyline.It’s like rearranging furniture instead of adding another floor.

3. Make Public Transport Easier

Chandigarh’s buses are decent but inconsistent. Better frequency, punctuality, and real-time updates at bus stops can make public transport the first choice for many.

4. Create Green Corridors

Synchronize signals on main roads so vehicles can pass through several green lights in one go. Smart navigation apps can guide drivers through these routes saving time, fuel, and frustration.

The Bigger Picture

Chandigarh’s real question isn’t whether to preserve heritage or build for the future. It’s how to define development itself. Ultimately, for true sustainability, urban planners recommend focusing on a systems approach that reduces total vehicle travel (VKT) by investing in and incentivizing public transport, walking, and cycling, rather than relying solely on large-scale road infrastructure. Progress doesn’t always have to rise above the ground. Sometimes, it lies in designing better systems on it.