Chandigarh: Hundreds of litigants and lawyers visiting the Punjab and Haryana high court can now avail a newly developed surface parking facility, with the Chandigarh administration completing a long-awaited project aimed at easing chronic parking congestion in the court complex.Built on about 6.23 acres of previously unpaved land adjoining the high court, the parking has capacity for more than 750 vehicles at a time. Developed using green paver blocks to retain the character of the area, the project was executed by the UT engineering department at a cost of Rs 3.41 crore.Officials said the parking was planned in consultation with the Punjab and Haryana high court bar association and designed to meet the requirements of court users. The tender was awarded in Sept 2025 and work began the following month.“As the area was already being informally used for parking, the work was carried out in phases to minimise inconvenience to litigants and visitors. Major construction activity was undertaken during the high court vacation period,” said an official.The project assumed significance as the site falls within the Capitol Complex, a Unesco world heritage site. The administration engaged a landscape consultant to prepare designs in line with court directions, and the plans were submitted to the high court for approval before execution. Senior engineering officials closely monitored the work because of the site’s heritage sensitivity.The facility is expected to provide major relief to court visitors, who have long grappled with inadequate parking and spillover congestion around the high court premises.Box: More parking planned near Rock GardenThe UT engineering department has initiated the process of creating another parking lot on vacant land around the Rock Garden following directions issued by the Punjab and Haryana HC on May 27.The court directed the administration to complete the exercise within 90 days. Preliminary surveys indicate the proposed facility could accommodate around 70-80 cars. Officials said no trees will be felled for the project, with the parking plan being prepared around the existing green cover.BOXParking Relief at High CourtWhat has been created?A new surface parking facility with capacity for over 750 vehicles at the Punjab and Haryana high courtWhere is it located?On a 6.23-acre stretch of land adjoining the High Court that was earlier used as a kutcha parking areaProject costRs 3.41 croreKey featureParking developed using green paver blocks to retain the area’s green character and improve drainage.Why is it significant?The site falls within the Capitol Complex, a Unesco world heritage site, requiring special planning and supervisionWho benefits?Thousands of litigants, advocates and visitors who face daily parking shortages at the HCWhat’s next?The UT administration is planning another parking lot near the Rock Garden, expected to accommodate 70-80 cars, without cutting any trees
