Closed for decades, HC orders reopening of road for public leading to Punjab CM’s residence in Chandigarh

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the reopening of a road in front of Chief Minister residence at Chandigarh that had been closed to the public during Beant Singh’s tenure as CM for security reasons.

The road, which had been inaccessible for decades, will now be open from 7 am to 7 pm starting May 1, as per the court’s directive to the SSP and DGP of Chandigarh.

During the previous hearing, the High Court had questioned the Punjab government and UT administration for closing the road to the public.

Despite security concerns, the court challenged why a separate provision had been made for Punjab when the road outside the Haryana Chief Minister’s residence remained open to the public.

The High Court raised concerns about closing a common road to the public while noting that the road in front of the Haryana CM’s residence is accessible.

Despite a 100-foot green belt in front of the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence, the court questioned the justification for keeping the road closed.