Chandigarh

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Map of Chandigarh (Source: India-WRIS)

The history of this territory is not only modern but young, dating back to no more than fourty years. It was constituted only November 1966. It is a peculiarity that a city constitutes a separate Union Territory while it also serves as the joint capital of two full fledged states, Punjab and Haryana. Nestling in the Shivalik hills, Chandigarh was created as an answer to the partition of India. After partition Indian Punjab was without a permanent capital and there was a need felt for creation of a new capital city. Chandigarh is the representative of modern architecture and town planning, the city is a creation of the French architect, Le Corbusier. After 1966 when Punjab and Haryana were created on linguistic basis, it was declared that Haryana would build a new capital city of its own and move its secretariat and legislative complex there, so that Punjab could become the real owner of Chandigarh. This decision was unfortunately never implemented and so far the city has continued to serve as the joint capital of both states.

Chandigarh is located between the Punjab and Haryana, Punjab to its north and west and Haryana to its east and south. The city is situated at the foot of Shivalik ranges of Himalayas. Chandigarh has no river but it has large lake, Sukhana.This area has warm summer and cold winter. The average rainfall is 100 cm.

• Agriculture
• Industry

The union territory Chandigarh has limited area under agriculture. The main sources of irrigation are deep-bore tube-wells installed by the administration and shallow tube-wells installed by individual farmers. The main crop of foodgrain is wheat. The department is also making effort to promote techniques for harvesting by following measures :

1. Extension and farmers study/training tour,
2. Development of kitchen garden,
3. Soil and water conservation.

This territory has a very good industrial base. There are 15 large and medium scale industrial units in the territory, out of them two are public sector undertakings. About three thousand registered small-scale units plays an important role in employment generation of the city. Some of the important industrial products are hosiery and knitting machine needles, wooltops, engineering items, electric meters, auto parts, tyre & tubes, crockery, bicycle and cycle parts, house fitting items, electronic items, cables, toiletries, wires, defence items, antibiotics, biomedical equipments, food and beverage, and hardware.

• Power
• Transport
• Health
• Education

Chandigarh has to depend on the neighbouring states for power. It has 3.5% share in the Bhakra power complex. Some of its power demand meets through Central generation projects. All the villages around the city have been electrified.

It is directly connected with Amritsar and Delhi by rail.

Indian Airlines service connects Chandigarh with Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu and Srinagar.

The architects have given Chandigarh Union Territory beautiful layout and monumental buildings. On the other hand Horticulture department has done its best with various ornamental trees to make the city beautiful. The city has beautiful gardens and planned roads. Some of the major tourist places are Rock Garden, zakir Rose Garden, Fragrance Garden, Shanti Kunj, Sukhana Lake, Museum and Art Gallery, City Museum, Children Art Gallery, Terraced Garden, National Gallery of Portraits, Bougainvilla Garden, Punjab University Campus, International Dolls Museum, City Centre, Topiary Park, Log Hut (Khuda Alishar) and Leisure Valley.