Hillary Victor

Hillary Victor is a Principal Correspondent at Chandigarh. He covers Chandigarh administration, municipal corporation and all political parties.

Articles by Hillary Victor

8 crore left in coffers, Mohali MC facing major financial crunch

Development works are set to suffer as Mohali civic body’s monthly salary liability alone runs into ₹4 crore

Mohali deputy mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi said several government buildings had also been defaulting on property tax payment, further compounding MC’s fund crunch. (HT File)
Updated on Oct 04, 2023 07:50 AM IST
By, Mohali

Electric vehicles fail to spark Chandigarh buyers’ interest, only 5% registrations in a year

As per the data, from September 20, 2022, to September 18, 2023, 52,412 vehicles were registered in Chandigarh, out of which, only 2,599 were electric vehicles. The count of two-wheeler registrations stood at 21,400, out of which only 1,807 were electric vehicles

Despite a vigorous push from the UT administration, electric vehicles (EVs) are struggling to find takers, with only 5% EV registrations recorded in the last year. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)
Updated on Oct 03, 2023 09:28 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

As Chandigarh admn presses the pedal on electric vehicles, infra remains in back seat

Chandigarh admn plans to gradually stop registration of fuel-run vehicles to encourage adoption of electric vehicles, but has failed to put public charging infra in place

To dissuade people from buying vehicles that cause pollution, UT plans to gradually stop registering fuel-run vehicles through its Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy that was rolled out in September 2022 and is applicable for five years. (Shutterstock)
Updated on Oct 02, 2023 08:38 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

20 months after Tata takeover, Air India closes its Sector 34 office

According to sources, the Chandigarh Estate Office had asked Air India to hand over the building after its privatisation

The employees were given the option to shift to other offices, but most of them opted for voluntary retirement scheme. (Ravi Kumar/HT)
Updated on Sep 29, 2023 08:34 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Now, Purohit stalls CHB’s IT Park housing scheme

While the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) had again written to the UT chief conservator of forest to approach the green ministry regarding the project, the chief conservator of forest will now not be taking it up

Chandigarh Housing Board’s housing scheme at IT Park has joined the list of projects being suspended by UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit. (HT File Photo)
Updated on Sep 29, 2023 08:30 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Purohit axes Chandigarh admn’s green corridor project after tree-felling plaint

Chandigarh administrator’s decision comes after Prime Minister’s Office directions to ‘take appropriate action’ on a complaint by a city resident

Just five days ago, Purohit had also placed on hold the decision of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee to allow construction of two commercial floors at Kiran Cinema in Sector 22 without demolishing the outer facade. (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 28, 2023 09:16 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Tourists bat for better amenities, promotion of Chandigarh’s main attractions

While some stressed on the need to prioritise fundamentals like better maintaining the landmarks, others emphasised that the Chandigarh administration should take a more proactive approach in promoting tourism

The city’s prominent tourist destinations include the Capitol Complex in Sector 1, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Bird Park, Indian Air Force Heritage Centre, and the Government Museum and Art Gallery. (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 27, 2023 09:58 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Two years on, no approval for hike in Chandigarh senior citizens’ pension

At present, Chandigarh is providing widow and old-age pension of ₹1,000 per month to those with annual family income less that ₹1.5 lakh

It has been more over two years since the Chandigarh administration started pursuing increasing the pension for senior citizens. (HT File)
Published on Sep 26, 2023 01:06 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Hope fades for single-screen theatres as Kiran cinema conversion put on hold

The owners of Neelam Theatre, which occasionally screened a couple of shows to mostly empty seats, along with two other theatres—Nirman in Sector 32 and Batra in Sector 37—had hoped that they would also be allowed

Kiran Theatre in Sector-22 is in a heritage sector, and the theatre itself was designed by Le Corbusier’s associate Maxwell Fry in 1956. (HT File)
Published on Sep 25, 2023 12:55 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Tourist influx in Chandigarh down by 85% in first 7 months of 2023

Officials from the Chandigarh administration attribute drop to severe heat followed by flood fury in Himachal Pradesh during summer vacations

Compared to 21.63 lakh domestic visitors from January 1 to July 31, 2022, their number dropped to a lowly 3.2 lakh in the corresponding period this year. (HT File Photo)
Updated on Sep 22, 2023 05:47 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Additional assembly land: Chandigarh admn tells Haryana to give another chunk of land or pay 620 crore

The 12 acres offered by Haryana for the land exchange fall in eco-sensitive zone where construction is prohibited by the Supreme Court

As per officials familiar with the matter, Haryana is also looking for another chunk of land bordering Chandigarh as per the suitability of the local administration if the ESZ issue is not sorted out. (HT Photo)
Published on Sep 21, 2023 03:04 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Heritage panel junks proposal for multi-level parking at Sukhna Lake

The proposal aimed to address the traffic congestion at Sukhna Lake and Bird Park, which draw a considerable footfall of tourists and locals, especially on weekends. At present, there is limited parking space for four-wheelers and two-wheelers at the Lake. The space crunch has only been exacerbated by the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and public bicycle sharing stands.

The panel has asked Chandigarh to prepare a fresh proposal, with scope for only underground parking, and submit it to the CHCC subcommittee for consideration. (HT File)
Published on Sep 20, 2023 04:21 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: IAF heritage centre’s Phase 2 runs into maintenance hurdle

Christened “Indian Air Force Aerospace and Technical Centre”, Phase 2 will incorporate advanced technology-driven features and experiences, aimed at inspiring young individuals to join the air force

Chandigarh administration has informed IAF authorities that they do not have experts for the maintenance work and that it should be carried out by the IAF itself, said an officer. A response is awaited. (HT file photo)
Published on Sep 19, 2023 03:18 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

UNESCO panel scraps 3 projects at Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex

The three projects at Capitol Complex include an underground multi-level parking lot; holistic development plan for Punjab and Haryana high court; and an AC chiller plant

Designed by Le Corbusier, Capitol Complex features three pillars of democracy – legislature, executive and judiciary – standing together. (Sanjeev Sharma/ HT)
Published on Sep 18, 2023 12:39 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Share-wise property sale: Chandigarh admn to seek legal opinion, realtors flay delay

In its January 10 order, the Supreme Court had banned conversion of residential houses into floor-wise apartments in Sectors 1 to 30, Chandigarh, while stating that they carried heritage status

According to rough estimates, due to the ban on share-wise property registrations in these sectors since January, Chandigarh administration has incurred a loss of nearly <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>25 crore. (Shutterstock)
Published on Sep 16, 2023 12:19 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

It’s curtains on movie screenings at Chandigarh’s Kiran Cinema

On Thursday, the iconic Kiran Cinema in Chandigarh’s Sector 22 also joined the league of fading away theatres, with the owner deciding to stop screening of movies

The Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) has allowed the theatre’s owner to construct two commercial floors without demolishing the outer facade. (HT file)
Published on Sep 15, 2023 03:53 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Relief for Berkeley Square: NGT quashes Chandigarh admn order revoking green nod

In August, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority had cancelled the environmental clearance granted to Berkeley Square in 2015 over violation of environmental norms

In line with SEIAA’s order, issued on August 25, 2023, Chandigarh administration had also sealed the commercial complex on September 1, and snapped its power and water connections. (HT File)
Published on Sep 14, 2023 02:26 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Thanks to long-route buses, Chandigarh Transport Undertaking profit up 55%

Additionally, revenue from suburban routes witnessed a growth of 26.7% in 2022-23 compared to the profit generated in 2021-22

The official mentioned that they had already signed an agreement with Red Bus India Private Limited and were actively seeking partnerships with other websites for online ticket reservations. (HT File)
Published on Sep 13, 2023 12:15 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023: Chandigarh trails at dismal 22nd spot

Chandigarh was judged among 47 cities with a population of over 10 lakh; Parwanoo ranks first among cities having population of less than 3 lakh

Chandigarh has been ranked a dismal 22nd among 47 cities with a population of over 10 lakh in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2023. (HT File Photo)
Updated on Sep 09, 2023 01:05 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Metro: Chandigarh awaits Haryana’s share for DPR

Punjab has paid its share of ₹1.37 crore for the Tricity Metro project, while Haryana is yet to contribute. The overall cost of the project is ₹10,570 crore, with the states, the Centre, and a lending agency sharing the cost. RITES, the agency preparing the detailed project report, is awaiting consent from the UT administration. The project's first phase has been extended from 66 km to 77 km and is expected to start in 2027. The second phase will be developed after 2037.

Punjab had paid its share of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1.37 crore on August 25. An equal amount is awaited from Haryana. (ht file)
Updated on Sep 09, 2023 12:38 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Chandigarh admn stumbles upon waterworks pipelines at Sector-39 grain market site

The UT is now planning to shift the pipelines, a task that will take nearly five months and cost the administration around ₹5 crore.

The Sector-39 grain market was planned in 2002 to decongest the Sector-26 grain market, where there is no more room for expansion. (HT File)
Updated on Sep 08, 2023 12:56 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

With no MD for 18 months, CITCO works suffer

Education secretary Purva Garg has been holding the additional charge of CITCO’s MD since March 2022, after Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu, a Punjab-cadre IAS officer, returned to her parent cadre

CITCO chairperson Nitin Yadav said the UT administration has already forwarded the name of a Punjab cadre officer to the ministry of home affairs (MHA) for final approval. (HT File)
Updated on Sep 04, 2023 03:53 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Chandigarh administration, MC tussle deepens

At the MC House meeting on Thursday, councillors refused to roll back the decision on charging double parking fee from non-tricity vehicles, despite Chandigarh administrator’s directive

Even the Congress, probably for the first time, came out openly against the Chandigarh administration in the MC House meeting on August 29, over repeated intrusion by the administration in every matter. (HT Photo)
Updated on Sep 01, 2023 02:59 AM IST

Chandigarh: Tender out to bring Martyrs Memorial to completion

The Chandigarh engineering department has floated tenders for installation of stone artwork, estimated to cost ₹3.5 crore and be completed by March next year

A one-of-its-kind project in the country, the memorial will be dedicated to the unknown martyrs of the 1947 Partition. (HT PHOTO)
Updated on Aug 31, 2023 02:03 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Additional assembly land in Chandigarh: Amid eco-sensitive zone concerns, Haryana writes to green ministry

After offering to provide a different chunk of land to the Chandigarh administration as part of the land exchange for an additional Haryana assembly building in its capital, the state government has now written to the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) to de-notify the 12 acres of land in Saketri, Panchkula, originally identified for the deal.

Haryana seeks de-notification of 12 acres in Panchkula’s Saketri village for land exchange with Chandigarh administration. The Haryana government plans to allot the 12-acre land in Saketri to the Chandigarh administration in exchange for 10 acres in Chandigarh near the IT Park road where it will construct an additional assembly premises. (HT File Photo)
Updated on Aug 31, 2023 12:05 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Dharam Pal among 7 in race for Chandigarh RTS panel’s top post

Post amended to ‘chief commissioner’, Second Innings Association alleges rules tweaked, writes to Chandigarh administrator

The Union ministry of home affairs had extended the Punjab Right to Service Act, 2011, and the Punjab Right to Service (Amended) Act, 2014, to the Union territory of Chandigarh on August 14, 2017. (HT Photo)
Updated on Aug 29, 2023 01:56 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Annapurna Akshaya Patra Project losing steam after doubling prices

The slowdown in the growth momentum of the project started after the Red Cross Society increased the cost of food packets from ₹10 to ₹20 in April 2022, making a direct impact on its popularity and sales

HT Image
Updated on Aug 28, 2023 12:13 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Chandigarh stares at 150 cr loss from 18 unsold liquor vends

The UT excise and taxation department in India is facing a loss of ₹150 crore this year as 18 of its liquor vends have found no buyers. The department has proposed increasing the liquor quota of existing vends to compensate for the loss. However, liquor contractors are unhappy with the move, as they are already facing losses due to high taxes in Chandigarh compared to neighboring cities in Punjab. The department has so far collected only around ₹500 crore out of its target of ₹830 crore in license fees.

The value-added tax (VAT) charged in Punjab is much lower than Chandigarh. (HT FILE)
Updated on Aug 28, 2023 12:04 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Unregistered projects in Chandigarh to face RERA action

RERA had issued a public notice giving one month to owners of all real estate projects in Chandigarh being undertaken without requisite registrations

Unregistered projects in Chandigarh will face RERA action. (HT File)
Updated on Aug 26, 2023 04:57 AM IST
By, Chandigarh

Notices to two commercial complexes: Biz owners decry ‘pick and choose’ treatment by Chandigarh admn

Aggrieved business owners alleged that the Chandigarh administration was adopting a pick-and-choose policy

 (The Chandigarh administration had issued notices to two business owners over environmental clearance violations.)
Updated on Aug 25, 2023 01:43 PM IST
By, Chandigarh
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