Punjab governor discusses pending issues of Chandigarh with Union ministers in Delhi

Chandigarh: Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria met Union ministers in Delhi on Friday and took several pending issues of Chandigarh with them for early resolution. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (minister for tourism) and Bhupender Yadav (minister for environment, forest and climate change) were in New Delhi to discuss critical developmental issues concerning Chandigarh and Punjab, particularly in the areas of public transport, tourism infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.

In his meeting with Manohar Lal Khattar (minister for housing and urban affairs), the governor raised the pending matter regarding the sanctioning of 328 electric buses for Chandigarh under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. He urged early approval of these buses on the GCC model to replace the aging fleet of CTU and CCBSS, most of which will complete their operational life between 2025 and 2027, in line with the 15-year cap on diesel vehicles as notified by the ministry of road transport and highways.

The governor also requested the expedited issuance of the letter of award for the 100 electric buses already sanctioned in Oct 2023, emphasising the need for their delivery before Nov 2025 to ensure continuity in public transport services. He assured that necessary vehicle scrapping certificates would be provided through Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSF) in support of the ministry's green mobility efforts.

In his meeting with the Union minister of civil aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, the governor discussed the need to strengthen both domestic and international air connectivity from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, in view of the growing demand from residents of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the UT. He highlighted that Chandigarh airport serves as a crucial gateway for the entire northern region, especially for the people of Punjab and the adjoining areas.

Kataria emphasised that enhanced connectivity — particularly direct international flights — would significantly boost tourism, facilitate business travel, and support the economic aspirations of the region. The Union minister assured that the ministry would actively explore possibilities and work with all stakeholders, including airlines and airport operators, to improve connectivity and upgrade passenger facilities at the airport.

Kataria also called on Union minister for tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, to discuss tourism development projects in Chandigarh. The governor stressed the need for strategic investments to strengthen the city's tourism infrastructure in alignment with its heritage, environmental values, and rising tourist footfall. He underlined the importance of bolstering tourism and transport links to religious, cultural, and administrative hubs to support regional growth and ease of travel.

In a separate meeting with Ashwini Vaishnaw (minister for railways), the governor highlighted the need to enhance rail connectivity between Takhat Sachkhand Hazur Sahib, Nanded, and Punjab-Chandigarh, including Tarn Taran Sahib, to meet increasing passenger demand and facilitate pilgrim travel. He also called for improved rail links between Udaipur and Chandigarh, which would significantly benefit passengers traveling between Rajasthan and the UT.

As part of his engagements in the capital, the governor also paid a courtesy call on Bhupender Yadav, Union minister for environment, forest and climate change. Discussions focused on environmental priorities and sustainable development issues relevant to Chandigarh and Punjab, in light of the growing emphasis on climate-conscious governance.

Chandigarh: Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria met Union ministers in Delhi on Friday and took several pending issues of Chandigarh with them for early resolution. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (minister for tourism) and Bhupender Yadav (minister for environment, forest and climate change) were in New Delhi to discuss critical developmental issues concerning Chandigarh and Punjab, particularly in the areas of public transport, tourism infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.

In his meeting with Manohar Lal Khattar (minister for housing and urban affairs), the governor raised the pending matter regarding the sanctioning of 328 electric buses for Chandigarh under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme. He urged early approval of these buses on the GCC model to replace the aging fleet of CTU and CCBSS, most of which will complete their operational life between 2025 and 2027, in line with the 15-year cap on diesel vehicles as notified by the ministry of road transport and highways.

The governor also requested the expedited issuance of the letter of award for the 100 electric buses already sanctioned in Oct 2023, emphasising the need for their delivery before Nov 2025 to ensure continuity in public transport services. He assured that necessary vehicle scrapping certificates would be provided through Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSF) in support of the ministry's green mobility efforts.

In his meeting with the Union minister of civil aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, the governor discussed the need to strengthen both domestic and international air connectivity from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, in view of the growing demand from residents of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the UT. He highlighted that Chandigarh airport serves as a crucial gateway for the entire northern region, especially for the people of Punjab and the adjoining areas.

Kataria emphasised that enhanced connectivity — particularly direct international flights — would significantly boost tourism, facilitate business travel, and support the economic aspirations of the region. The Union minister assured that the ministry would actively explore possibilities and work with all stakeholders, including airlines and airport operators, to improve connectivity and upgrade passenger facilities at the airport.

Kataria also called on Union minister for tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, to discuss tourism development projects in Chandigarh. The governor stressed the need for strategic investments to strengthen the city's tourism infrastructure in alignment with its heritage, environmental values, and rising tourist footfall. He underlined the importance of bolstering tourism and transport links to religious, cultural, and administrative hubs to support regional growth and ease of travel.

In a separate meeting with Ashwini Vaishnaw (minister for railways), the governor highlighted the need to enhance rail connectivity between Takhat Sachkhand Hazur Sahib, Nanded, and Punjab-Chandigarh, including Tarn Taran Sahib, to meet increasing passenger demand and facilitate pilgrim travel. He also called for improved rail links between Udaipur and Chandigarh, which would significantly benefit passengers traveling between Rajasthan and the UT.

As part of his engagements in the capital, the governor also paid a courtesy call on Bhupender Yadav, Union minister for environment, forest and climate change. Discussions focused on environmental priorities and sustainable development issues relevant to Chandigarh and Punjab, in light of the growing emphasis on climate-conscious governance.