Executive Summary:
This document provides information regarding the Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) in Chandigarh. The CHCC was constituted by the Chandigarh Administration on 20.04.2012, with approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), following recommendations from an Expert Heritage Committee report that suggested heritage status for Phase 1 of Chandigarh (Sectors 1-30). The CHCC's mandate is to ensure the conservation, preservation, restoration, and maintenance of the city's listed heritage.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Establishment and Legal Basis:**
* The Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) was established on 20.04.2012 by the Chandigarh Administration with MHA approval, based on the Expert Heritage Committee report.
* The report recommended heritage status for Phase 1 of Chandigarh (Sectors 1-30), identifying 13 Heritage Zones and buildings graded I, II, and III based on historical, cultural, and architectural significance.
* The CHCC's legal standing was reinforced by a Supreme Court judgment, requiring its approval for matters like redensification and reutilization in Phase 1 sectors, as well as consultation on relevant rules and bylaws.
* **Mandate and Scope:**
* The CHCC is responsible for the conservation, preservation, restoration, and maintenance of Chandigarh's listed heritage.
* The entire city of Chandigarh is not declared as heritage, but Phase 1 (Sectors 1-30) has recommended heritage status.
* **Activities and Outcomes:**
* The CHCC has held 25 meetings and addressed development and redevelopment issues in Sectors 1-30.
* Key works include:
* Finalizing the Trans Border Serial Nomination Dossier for the Capitol Complex, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.
* Monitoring the Capitol Complex's management plan.
* Overseeing works related to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
* Holistic planning and revitalization of City Centre, Sec. 17, including underpass construction, facade restoration, and rejuvenation of the Central Plaza.
* Additions and alterations in Govt. houses in Phase I sectors and evolving a uniform policy.
* Reviewing the Master Plans of PGI and Punjab University.
* Restoration of Le Corbusier Centre Old Architects Office, Sector 19.
* The Indian Air Force Museum at Press Building, Sector 18.
Impact Analysis:
* **Chandigarh Administration:**
* *Impact:* Must adhere to the CHCC's recommendations and seek its approval for development and redevelopment projects, especially in Phase 1 (Sectors 1-30).
* *Action Required:* Consult with the CHCC on matters related to heritage conservation and preservation.
* **Residents and Property Owners in Phase 1 (Sectors 1-30):**
* *Impact:* May face restrictions on alterations, renovations, or redevelopment of properties within Heritage Zones.
* *Action Required:* Seek approval from the CHCC for any proposed changes to properties that might affect heritage aspects.
* **Government Institutions (e.g., Punjab and Haryana High Court, PGI, Punjab University):**
* *Impact:* Development and expansion plans must align with heritage preservation principles and be reviewed by the CHCC.
* *Action Required:* Incorporate heritage considerations into master plans and seek CHCC approval for projects.
* **Ministry of Culture:**
* *Impact:* Informed of the activities and outcomes of the CHCC.
* *Action Required:* Continue to oversee and support the CHCC's efforts in heritage conservation in Chandigarh.
Key Entities Referenced
Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee: A committee constituted by the Chandigarh Administration to ensure the conservation, preservation, restoration, and maintenance of the enlisted heritage of the city of Chandigarh. Also referred to as CHCC.
Union Territory of Chandigarh: A Union Territory in India, for which the Heritage Conservation Committee was constituted.
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for culture, to which questions regarding the Heritage Conservation Committee were directed.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The Indian government ministry that approved the creation of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC).
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister of Culture and Tourism who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Capitol Complex, Chandigarh: A complex in Chandigarh inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Supreme Court: The highest court in India, whose judgement further strengthened the legal status of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee.
Sectors 1 to 30, Chandigarh: Phase 1 of Chandigarh which the Expert Heritage Committee recommended to have Heritage status.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3571
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
HERITAGE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE IN CHANDIGARH
3571. SHRI MANISH TEWARI:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the legal status of the Heritage Conservation Committee constituted for the
Union Territory of Chandigarh and the specific law or statutory provision
under which it was created;
(b) whether the Union Territory Administration drew its authority to constitute
the said Committee from any Central or State enactment and if so, the details
thereof;
(c) the details of the rationale and legal locus of continuing with a Heritage
Committee in Chandigarh, given that the Ministry of Culture, in response to
a parliamentary question dated 03.02.2025, stated that Chandigarh is not
recognised as a heritage city; and
(d) the details of the key activities, initiatives, and outcomes of the Chandigarh
Heritage Committee since its inception, particularly those having a city-wide
impact on heritage preservation and architectural conservation?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) The Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) was constituted
to by the Chandigarh Administration vide notification dated 20.4.2012. CHCC
(c) was created after approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in
response to the report of the Expert Heritage Committee submitted by
Chandigarh Administration.
The entire city of Chandigarh is not declared as heritage. However, the
report of the Expert Heritage Committee recommended Heritage status to
phase 1 of the city, i.e., Sectors 1 to 30. A total of 13 Heritage Zones, and
Heritage buildings have been identified in the report, graded as Heritage
Grade I, II and III as per their historical and cultural significance and also
their unique architectural value. The mandate of the CHCC is to ensure
proper conservation, preservation, restoration and maintenance of the
enlisted heritage of the city.The legal status of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee was
further strengthened by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in its judgement which
provides for approval of the Heritage Committee for matters like
redensification of any government residential/institutional pocket in Phase-l
sectors, re-utilization of the identified housing/institutional pockets in the
first phase, and for consulting the Heritage Committee for issues such as
formulation of rules or byelaws.
(d) The CHCC has till date held 25 meetings since its constitution and disposed
of various sensitive issues concerning development/re-development of
various projects in Sector 1 to 30. Some of the major works seen by the
Heritage Committee include:
Finalizing of Trans Border Serial Nomination Dossier for Heritage
status to Capitol Complex, Chandigarh inscribed as a World Heritage
Site in August, 2016. It monitors the progress of the management
plan of the Capitol Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Various works of Punjab and Haryana High Court which forms part
of the Capitol Complex, progress of which is being monitored by the
Hon'ble Building Committee of the High Court.
Holistic Planning & Revitalization of City Centre, Sec. 17 wherein
construction of underpass between Sector 17 and Rose Garden,
restoration of the concrete façades, Integrated Command Control
Centre and rejuvenation of the Central Plazza are being undertaken.
Various additions and alterations in Govt. houses in various Phase I
sectors and evolving a uniform policy.
Master Plan of PGI and Punjab University.
Restoration of Le Corbusier Centre (Old Architects Office), Sector
19.
Indian Air Force Museum at Press Building, Sector 18.
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