Chandigarh: In a bid to improve connectivity and ease traffic woes for thousands of students and faculty members, a new underpass is being planned to directly link the two main campuses of Panjab University (PU) — the North Campus in Sector 14 and the South Campus in Sector 25.The proposed underpass, designed to accommodate both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, will run beneath the busy dividing road between sectors 14 and 25. It aims to provide a seamless, direct connection between the campuses, while reducing heavy congestion on the stretch in front of PU’s Gate No 3.The initiative follows directions from Punjab governor and UT administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria, who instructed the Chandigarh administration to develop a concrete plan for the project. Senior PU authorities recently approached the governor with the long-standing demand for better inter-campus linkage.“Senior PU authorities recently requested the governor for the underpass between the two campuses. Following this, instructions were issued to the UT engineering department,” a senior UT official familiar with the matter told reporters.Recently, senior UT officials, including the chief engineer, inspected the site to check the feasibility of the project. The engineering department has now directed the planning department to prepare preliminary designs, paving the way for detailed feasibility studies and construction blueprints.Panjab University spans approximately 550 acres across its adjacent campuses. The North Campus in Sector 14 hosts core administrative, academic, and residential facilities, including landmarks such as Gandhi Bhawan and the Central Library. The South Campus in Sector 25 is home to institutions such as the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), University Institute of Applied Management Sciences (UIAMS), and dental sciences.The push for the underpass comes amid ongoing student frustration over connectivity between the two campuses near Gate No 3. The administration closed the road divider in front of the gate last year — echoing a similar 2009 closure — citing traffic safety concerns. Students protested repeatedly, arguing that the measure forces lengthy and hazardous detours, heightens accident risks, and even necessitates helmets for short intra-campus trips.“A permanent solution is required for the spot, as heavy traffic plies on the stretch from all four sides. Blocking the divider temporarily or permanently creates major connectivity issues for PU students and faculty,” the UT official noted.Subterranean solution –New underpass proposed to link PU’s North Campus (Sector 14) and South Campus (Sector 25)–Governor Gulab Chand Kataria directed UT administration to prepare a concrete proposal–Senior UT officials, including the chief engineer, inspected the site for feasibility–Engineering wing asked planning department to draft preliminary designs–Project follows repeated student protests over divider closure and long detours–PU spans about 550 acres, housing key institutes across the two campuses–Students say closure of the divider increases accident risk and forces unsafe routesBOX: Underpasses in Chandigarh—The primary vehicular underpass connects sectors 11 and 15 across Madhya Marg, while pedestrian underpasses exist on Jan Marg (linking Sector 17 to the Rose Garden in Sector 16) and near ISBT-17 to Sector 22—The Comprehensive Mobility Plan, a report by RITES, recommended nine new vehicular underpasses at key junctions to address growing traffic demandsOther planned projects include a pedestrian/wheelchair underpass between PGIMER and Panjab University and an underpass at Industrial Area chowk alongside a 1.65-km flyover MSID:: 128312248 413 |
