Centre Rejects Haryana’s Proposal for New Assembly Building in Chandigarh
The rejection comes amid failed land-swap negotiations and strong opposition from Punjab, which also shares Chandigarh as its capital under the current arrangement.
Chandigarh: The Union Home Ministry has rejected Haryana’s proposal to construct a new state assembly building in Chandigarh, dealing a significant blow to the state’s long-standing demand for its own legislative complex in the shared capital.
The rejection comes amid failed land-swap negotiations and strong opposition from Punjab, which also shares Chandigarh as its capital under the current arrangement.
Key Details
According to reports, Haryana had identified a site near the Railway Light Point in Chandigarh for the proposed assembly building, with the land valued at approximately ₹640 crore. However, the Centre’s decision has effectively shelved these plans for now.
Reasons for Rejection
The Union Home Ministry cited multiple factors behind its decision:
Failed Land Swap Arrangements: Previous attempts to resolve land-sharing disputes between the two states through land-swap mechanisms have not materialized, complicating any new construction proposals.
Punjab’s Strong Objections: The neighboring state has raised serious concerns about Haryana’s unilateral plans to build a separate assembly in the shared capital city. Punjab has consistently opposed any move that could alter the current status of Chandigarh or give one state an advantage over the other.
Chandigarh’s Status: As a Union Territory and shared capital of both Haryana and Punjab, any major infrastructure development affecting the city’s character requires consensus from all stakeholders.
Background
Chandigarh has served as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana since the reorganization of Punjab in 1966. Both states have long harbored ambitions of having exclusive control over the city, leading to recurring disputes. The issue of a separate assembly building for Haryana has been a contentious matter, with Punjab viewing such moves as attempts to establish greater claim over the shared capital.
Currently, both state assemblies function from the same Vidhan Sabha complex in Chandigarh, taking turns for their legislative sessions.
The Centre’s decision underscores the continuing challenges in resolving the Chandigarh issue and highlights the need for both states to find mutually acceptable solutions for infrastructure development in the shared capital.
