Detailed security plan on UT mind

Chandigarh, November 13

While the deadline set by the security committee of the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) for the construction of a high security boundary wall around the court premises is ending tomorrow, there seems to be little possibility of starting the work in the near future.

Sources said the UT Administration was considering various options to sort out the contentious issue. On the one hand, the Administration is trying to provide the necessary security for the HC, while on the other, it does not want to take any hasty action which may pose a threat to the world heritage status of the Capitol Complex.

The Administration is considering preparing a detailed security plan for the HC. It is also seeking the views of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Home before taking any action. The Administration will place the report before the heritage conservation committee to seek its views.

The security committee of the HC, in a letter dated October 25, 2019, had asked the Administration to construct a high security boundary wall, not less than 7 ft in height, with a concertina coil covering the entire boundary of the HC premises. Later, the UT referred the issue to the sub-group of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee for its views.

Members of the panel visited the site and suggested a “partial wall” towards the forest area. They said a concrete wall already existed in certain areas and it could be strengthened further. The HC premises is a part of the Capitol Complex, accorded the world heritage status by UNESCO in 2016. — TNS