Chandigarh Bytes

Category: News

  • The first college in the city to achieve A+ grade by NAAC: SD College Chandigarh

    The first college in the city to achieve A+ grade by NAAC: SD College Chandigarh

    GGDSD College, popularly knows as SD College Chandigarh, is the most prestigious institute in the city for education has attained A+ grade by NAAC this year. SD College is the first Institute in Chandigarh to accomplish this level of accreditation. A peer team of NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) came to the college to assess the college’s capability. Three member NAAC team visited the college campus on January 30-31 for assessing and grading the college.

    SD College

    This was the third cycle of institutional assessment of SD College Chandigarh and a meeting was held on February 22 to announce the grade. Though the college has gained A+ but still have some more suggestions where the college can work and prosper more.

    Area to work on for the college

    • The NAAC pointed out that there are limited post-graduation courses in the college.
    • Many of the positions are filled on a temporary basis.
    • The workload on the teachers is more.
    • College needs to work on research and industrial linkages.
    • NAAC recommended introducing new innovative courses in the college.

    The SD College should work on attaining an autonomous status by consulting all the stakeholders. The college witnessed an elevation of 37 points in the score given by NAAC team and taking the college from A to A+. In the last few years, the college had worked hard to gather everything and live up to this level. The college has undergone complete automation and is a paper free campus.

    SD College Chandigarh
    SD College Chandigarh

    Future Plans of the SD College Chandigarh

    • Icentreive center to be built in the college.
    • Setting up of two research centres including for physics, commerce and economics.

    NAAC team also observed that the college has the finest ICT enabled infrastructure for teaching and learning. The SD College also boasts about being the first priority among the students of the city every year.

  • Sad by the news of Liquor shops to shut in Chandigarh? Booze lovers you need not to as the Liquor shops in Chandigarh may stay

    Sad by the news of Liquor shops to shut in Chandigarh? Booze lovers you need not to as the Liquor shops in Chandigarh may stay

    Booze lovers of Chandigarh must be all sad as the Liquor shops in Chandigarh are to shut by April 1. Chandigarhians here is good news for you that the Liquor shops in Chandigarh may stay. Most of the shops which are facing closure by April 1 as per the Supreme Court orders are likely to stay as the committee as taken an innovative idea to outfit this problem.

    Liquor shops in Chandigarh

    The committee has recommended changing the nomenclature of state highways as district highways. The Supreme Court had passed the order in December 2016 stating that liquor vends falling within 500 metres from state highways will be closed from April 1 and even the Bar license shall also not be renewed on these roads.

    This order of the Supreme Court has left the Department of Taxation and Excise in a fix as the Administration had already notified a majority of roads as state highways. The Administration issued a notification stating that V1 (fast roads connecting Chandigarh to other towns), V2 (arterial roads) and V3 (fast vehicular sector dividing roads) state highways.

    Liquor shops in Chandigarh
    Liquor shops in Chandigarh

    The Administration is trying its best to denotify this notification and have formed a committee as well under Chairmanship of the chief Engineer.In a meeting held yesterday, members reviewed that is was not correct to notify city roads as state highways. They said that the road except the National Highway 21 should be declared district highways as the city is not a state.

    Sources explained that the final decision for the Liquor shops in Chandigarh shall be taken at a higher level. The Chandigarh Administration may seep into losses if it fails to denotify the state highway by April 1. Chandigarh shall approximately 250 crores annually if it fails in any chance.

    Chandigarhians hope to so a beam of light for saving these Liquor shops in Chandigarh and bars at the State highways.

  • The fame of Gujarati Literature, Tarak Mehta passes away in Ahemdabad

    The fame of Gujarati Literature, Tarak Mehta passes away in Ahemdabad

    Tarak Mehta is no more! a big loss to the Gujarati Literature and satirical shows. The noted writer Tarak Mehta passes away at 87 in Ahmedabad after prolonged illness.

    Tarak Mehta passes away
    Tarak Mehta Smiling

    About Tarak Mehta

    Taarak Mehta is an Indian columnist, humorist, writer and playwright, who garnered huge popularity through his column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma in Gujarati language. The popular TV show ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ is based on this column.  His humourous column first appeared in Chitralekha in March 1971.He had been a well-known figure in Gujarati theatre. He had also published 80 books, over the years, three books are based on the columns he wrote in Gujarati newspaper Divya Bhaskar. He was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, in 2015.

    Tarak Mehta passes away

    A renowned writer Tarak Mehta, who is an inspiration behind the famous TV show passes away. People are saddened by the news of his demise, as he was the one who made the whole country laugh at the same time through his TV Show ”Tarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah”.

    Tarak Mehta passes away
    TV Show Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

    Today (1st March 2017 Wednesday) Tarak Mehta took his last breath in Ahemdabad, after Tarak Mehta passes away his family members took the decision to donate his body to science. He was the one who made everybody smile by his books, plays, TV shows and will be missed by every citizen of India.

    “Tarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah” TV show was successfully running since 8 years and it is one of the most loved TV serials in our country. Be it children, adults, older people everyone liked his humourous content in the shows.

    When talking about Gujarati theatre, Tarak Mehta’s name is on the top of the list. Such a personality will always be missed. After the news of his passing all out of condolences have been posted on the internet. He will be in memories of people forever. May his Soul REST IN PEACE.

  • Municipal Corporation introduces a hike in the Parking Charges in Chandigarh after 15 years

    Municipal Corporation introduces a hike in the Parking Charges in Chandigarh after 15 years

    Parking Lot in Chandigarh plays an important role for both the traders and the customers tackling the business. Paid Parking Lots in Chandigarh gives the traders and customers an assurance of the safety of their vehicle. Suddenly there is a hike in the Parking Charges in Chandigarh and here are all the details.

    hike in the Parking Charges in Chandigarh
    A view of Parking in Sector 22 Chandigarh

    History of Paid Parking

    The system of paid parking was introduced 1997 but was kept on back bummer following the protest by traders. In 2001, High Court directed the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation to introduce the Paid Parking system in the city. The very next year in 2002, Paid Parking system was implemented with Rs.2 for two wheelers and Rs.5 for four wheelers.

    New rate chart (after the hike in Parking Charges in Chandigarh)

    1.      Two wheelers

    Time 2017-2018 2018-2019
    For first 4 hours Rs.5 Rs.10
    Up to 6 hours Rs.10 Rs.20
    Up to 8 hours Rs.15 Rs.30
    Up to 10 hours Rs.20 Rs.40
    10 hours and above Rs.25 Rs.50

     

    2.     Four wheelers

    Time 2017-2018 2018-2019
    For first 4 hours Rs.10 Rs.20
    Up to 6 hours Rs.20 Rs.40
    Up to 8 hours Rs.30 Rs.60
    Up to 10 hours Rs.40 Rs.80
    10 hours and above Rs.50 Rs.100

     

    3.     Monthly passes

    Two-wheelers- Rs.150

    Four-wheelers- Rs.300

    4.     Buses rate

    The rate for buses has also changed, for 2017-2018 the bus rate has increased from Rs.10 for a full day to Rs.20 for first 4 hours and Rs.20 for the subsequent 2 hours. And For 2018-2019 the rate has been fixed at Rs.40 for first 4hours and Rs.40 for the subsequent 2 hours.

    After 15 years Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has increased the prices of parking in the city. The new rates will be applicable three months after the trial of Smart Parking System. If Mc starts the smart parking by April 1 as written in the agenda the new rates then will be applicable by July 1. For the remaining three months the public will pay the existing prices only Rs.2 for two wheelers and Rs.5 for four wheelers.

    The Commissioner B Purushartha articulates the final position of the Municipal Corporation after spending on the Smart City Project, salaries and Kajauli water project, MC would be left with 70 crores which will not be enough to carry the development.

    Four Congress Councillors, one Independent and a nominated Councillor protested against MC, but the agenda for the hike in the Parking Charges in Chandigarh has already passed.

  • UT Administration Decided to Shut Down Sector 22-B Parking Area

    UT Administration Decided to Shut Down Sector 22-B Parking Area

    The UT Administration has decided to close the Sector 22-B Parking Area to create a green belt near ISBT Sector 17 Chandigarh. Well, the Municipal Corporation seems to be unhappy with the Administration’s decision.

    The Municipal Corporation has written to the administration explaining that the move to shut the Sector 22B Parking Area and converting it to a green belt is not viable. This decision may draw friction from people and traders.

    Sector 22-B Parking Area
    Sector 22-B Parking Area

    According to the proposal, people who wish to visit this green belt will have park their vehicles across the road near ISBT and come strolling using table top crossing. The chief engineer of the urban body has recommended an underground multilevel parking to be considered there with an arranged region.

    The approach to business focus at Sector 22 through single subway may be adequate to tackle the crowd of both parking lots. There is also an agitation that parking at a distant place may cause hatred from the traders and customers.

    According to the surveys done there are approximately 395 cars and 786 two wheelers parked during the peak hours i.e. 12 pm to 2 pm and the number doubles in the evening. Whereas if considering the new approach the administration has planned only 150 cars and 100 two wheelers will be accommodated.

    New Multi-Level Parking Lot at Sector 17
    New Multi-Level Parking Lot at Sector 17

    Sources said that there will be a meeting with the chief architect, traders and the MC on the issue now. There are more than 3,000 traders who have debilitated to shut shop if the Sector 22 parking lot is closed.

    The Municipal Corporation had closed the two parking lots of Sector 17 — Empire Store and Sahib Singh, a year ago as they had to develop the plaza as well as the green space there.

    While the traders are brawling that their businesses may get affected, protested and finally, the municipal corporation had to give in and open the parking lots.

     

  • Liquor Ban in Chandigarh: Restrau and Bar owners panic as City may go dry from April 1

    Liquor Ban in Chandigarh: Restrau and Bar owners panic as City may go dry from April 1

    Come April 1, and you may not see any of the shops, bars, and restaurants in the city selling liquor. No guys, everything that happens on the fool’s day (April 1) is not to fool you! This is serious. After Gujrat and Bihar went dry, its time for liquor ban in Chandigarh.

    Liquor Ban in Chandigarh

    The crises has come owing to the December 2016 judgment of the Supreme Court, which ordered the complete closure of liquor shops on state highways and national highways. Now you may wonder, how does this verdict affect the city at all? It’s just for the countryside that the highways pass through. The city is obviously not the whole of highways, after all!

    But here’s a fact: It is! Most of the city roads fall under the category of “State Highways”.

    And here are some numbers: According to a report in Hindustan Times, UT Home Secretary Anurag Aggarwal told, “In Chandigarh, Sectors are 1.2 km long and 0.8 km wide. With all vertical roads being state highways, 500 meters on either side of the road covers the whole of the city. Thus, all sectors come within 500 meters of state highways.”

    Gosh! This is how it is.

    Aggarwal further added, “The road categorization is done in such a way that today all the major roads are state highways along with the one national highway that passes through the city”

    So technically, the entire city will fall under this blanket ban of liquor sale and we can’t even express our frustration over how dry our future is going to be!

    It’s good that the Supreme Court has taken the right step and delivered a strong judgment to curb drunken driving, but the case of Chandigarh is a peculiar one! If no immediate step is taken by the authorities, the city is set to go completely dry from April 1. The biggest crises will be for the owners of the hotels, bars, and lounges, which will have no option but to shut down.

    Well, we only hope that something good happens, Liquor ban in Chandigarh does not become a reality, and we have some ‘booze’ in our lives, even after April 1. Till then, Cheers!

  • UT Administrator VP Bhadnore plans for Some New Features in Sector 17 Chandigarh

    UT Administrator VP Bhadnore plans for Some New Features in Sector 17 Chandigarh

    The UT Administration is planning to have a gazebo, food court, amphitheatre, fountains and transportation facilities for the visitors from the parking area to nearby sectors. These are some New Features in Sector 17 that the UT Administration is planning to build in Chandigarh.

    According to the sources, VP Bhadnore the UT Administrator has added these features for the Rejuvenation of Sector 17.  Bhadnore wants Sector 17 to become the most vibrant place in Chandigarh as earlier. As you know the crowd is moving towards Elante Mall from Sector 17 Plaza Bhadnore is planning to for Sector 17 to gain back its glory and making it the most happening and attractive place for visitors.

    New Features in Sector 17 Chandigarh

    Some TV screens shall also be installed in Sector 17 to broadcast major sports events. Bhadnore also suggested that a special play area will also be developed for the children. Sector 17 will also have some features of Connaught place in Delhi as well.

    Some New Features in Sector 17

    • Planning to construct Gazebo, food court and amphitheatre.
    • Some more fountains to develop.
    • Transportation facilities for visitors.
    • TV screens for major sports events.
    • Play area for children.

    New Features in Sector 17 ChandigarhVP Bhadnore the UT Administrator is always up for doing something new in the city. If continues to make such efforts the dream of Chandigarh to become a Smart city will soon be fulfilled. These New Features in Sector 17 will change the entire look of the Sector to completely new place and help to regain its beauty.

  • Chandigarh Smart City Limited(CSCL) to introduce public bicycle sharing system in Chandigarh

    Chandigarh Smart City Limited(CSCL) to introduce public bicycle sharing system in Chandigarh

    The city beautiful is out with an out of block plan for the Smart City project to introduce public bicycle sharing system in Chandigarh. Chandigarh under Smart city project is planning to promote cycling in the city. The Chandigarh Smart City Limited with 10,000 cycles and 600 stations has invited companies for the same purpose and two companies seem to show some interest.

    B Purushartha, CEO of Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) articulated that there was a huge need to promote cycling in the city. The firm will also be finalised soon. Earlier the companies were required to submit their proposal by 22nd February 2017 but now the date has been extended till 15th March 2017.

    CSCL is also planning to take the initiative to introduce public bicycle sharing system in Chandigarh. The system will comprise of bicycle parking, design guidelines and a proposal for bicycling sharing system in Chandigarh with 10,000 cycles and 600 stations.

    bicycle sharing system in Chandigarh

    Higher authorities explained that they are looking for companies who already have experience of settling such kind of bicycle sharing system.

    Highlights

    • GPRS to be installed in bicycles
    • A central room to be set up
    • Cycles will be kept at all important locations
    • An hourly fee will be around Rs.5 for using the bicycle.

    New cycling tracks

    Certain new cycling tracks are also been constructed in the city for better mobility of the bicycles. The construction of these tracks is undertaken by Engineering Department. The first cycling roundabout was made at Sector 26 by UT Administration.

    The Engineering Department of Chandigarh aim is to construct cycle tracks so that the cyclists do not face problems in crossing the roundabouts along with other vehicles.

    Read more about cycling roundabouts:

    #News: Chandigarh to construct five more cycling roundabouts

    Merits of bicycle sharing system in Chandigarh

    • This bicycle sharing system in Chandigarh will make people more fit.
    • It will be a benefit for the tourists to travel to the major places.
    • This system will help to move one step towards smart city project.
    • It will help to reduce the pollution in the city.

     

    Public bicycle sharing system in Chandigarh is surely a beneficial step for making a healthy & fit society. It is an innovative way to transform the city and taking it to another level.

     

  • Flight Schedule from Chandigarh to Hyderabad and Chennai and Some Changes in other Flight Schedules

    Flight Schedule from Chandigarh to Hyderabad and Chennai and Some Changes in other Flight Schedules

    From today onwards the Chandigarh Airport will remain opened till 10:00 pm. Due to the bad weather in December at the Chandigarh International Airport, the last flight operated was at 5:55 pm. As the weather is improving the airlines have changed their Flight Schedule. The runway of the Chandigarh international Airport is under the administration of Air Force Department so the civil planes are granted permission to operate from 8:00 am in the morning till 10:00 pm at night. The Flight Schedule from Chandigarh to Hyderabad and Chennai is out by Indigo.

    Flight Schedule from Chandigarh to Hyderabad and Chennai

    Change in Flight Schedule of Chandigarh to New Delhi

    • Monday onwards the Jet Airways flight from Chandigarh to New Delhi will depart at 9:40 pm. Earlier this flight was operated at 4:10 pm in the evening.

    Flight Schedule between Chandigarh and Hyderabad

    • Hyderabad to Chandigarh will depart at 11:00 am and arrive at Chandigarh by 1:45 pm.
    • Chandigarh to Hyderabad will depart at 2:15 pm and arrive at Hyderabad by 4:35 pm.

    Expenses

    • Initially the fare has been kept Rs.3000/- but it is subjected to change with respect to availability of seats.

    Flight Schedule between Chennai and Chandigarh

    • The flight from Chennai will depart at 9:30 am in the morning and arrive at Chandigarh by 1:45 pm.
    • From Chandigarh the flight will depart at 2:15 pm ad arrive Chennai at 6:55 pm in the evening.

    Expenses

    Initially, the prices for the flight booking have been kept nominal to gather more visitors.

    • Chandigarh to Chennai- Rs.4200/-
    • Chennai To Chandigarh- Rs.4059/-

    For the Hyderabad flight, 70% of the seats have already been booked and talking about the Chennai flight 50% booking has already been done. Earlier there was only a single connecting flight to Hyderabad via Mumbai which took approximately 4 hours. Now that time span can be saved by the travellers. Due to the demand of people, the Chennai flight will be connecting to Kochi as well. The Chandigarh to Chennai flight will reach by 6:55 pm and the Kochi flight will be available at 8:30 pm. For both these places, the flights were in demand. The Flight Schedule from Chandigarh to Hyderabad and Chennai has been kept according to suit the requirement of people. Indigo launching these flights to the major cities in our country is definitely a boon for the people travelling for business purposes.

  • A Pretty amazing view from Helicopter ride at Rose Festival 2017

    A Pretty amazing view from Helicopter ride at Rose Festival 2017

    Rose Festival 2017 Chandigarh had organised chopper ride for the first time. Helicopter ride at Rose festival was a successful initiative taken by UT Administrator. The Rose Festival was inaugurated by Member of Parliament Kiran Kher from Chandigarh, well the fest was supposed to be inaugurated by Governor of Punjab V.P Bhadnaur but due to family issues, he couldn’t turn up.

    On the first day of the Rose Festival, the Helicopter completed 15 rides with approximately 74 people enjoyed the ride from 700 feet above the ground. Out of the 74 people, 22 were children to experience the Helicopter ride for the first time in Chandigarh.

    Nagar Nigam Commissioner, Home Secretary Anurag Aggarwal and Tourism Director Jatinder Yadav also took the Helicopter ride to experience something special in Chandigarh on the first day of Rose Festival. To a surprising note, an eighty-year-old lady also enjoyed the ride with her grandson. Many families also arrived to explore this adventurous ride.

    Areas Viewed Through Helicopter ride at Rose Festival 2017 Chandigarh

    • Sukhna Lake

    • Matka Chowk

    • CLTA Tennis Shop

    • Rock Garden

    • Helicopter ride at Rose Festival

    • Sector 17 Plaza

    • Capitol Complex

    • Helicopter ride at Rose Festival

    • Kaimbwala

      Helicopter ride at Rose Festival

    The MD of Green Hawk stated that the ride started by 11:00 am and concluded by 5:00 pm on the first day of Rose fest. Till now 167 people have booked the ticket and if by Saturday there are more bookings the second chopper will also be operated for the public to relish the moments of Rose Festival. The Helicopter ride at Rose Festival Chandigarh made an altogether worth remembering event.

    Nagar Nigam Commissioner stated that this time the Rose Festival was designed in a different way to attract the visitors from different places. The chopper ride initiative, Newly wed couple competition, Food and craft stalls helped to take the Rose Festival to another level. In The Rose Festival, there was a special free wifi zone as well.

    Talking about the competitions related to Creativity, Gurukul School, Sector 22 Panchkula won the maximum lot of prizes in Rangoli making, Flower arrangement and much more. The Rose Festival is full of surprising apart from all this there are much more. The UT Administrative achieved success in bringing this amazing Helicopter ride at Rose Festival Chandigarh this year.