Chandigarh Not a World Heritage City, Says Centre

by The_unmuteenglish

Chandigarh/New Delhi, 4 February 2025: The Union ministry of culture and tourism has clarified that Chandigarh has not been designated as a World Heritage City, responding to a query by local MP Manish Tewari.

During the ongoing Budget session, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat outlined UNESCO’s criteria for World Heritage designation, stating that a site must reflect human creative genius, demonstrate cultural exchanges, and hold exceptional historical significance.

He added that Ahmedabad and Jaipur are the only Indian cities with World Heritage City status.

Tewari had sought details on whether Chandigarh held such recognition and the criteria for the designation by the Indian government, UNESCO, or other international bodies.

While Chandigarh itself lacks this status, the city’s Capitol Complex was inscribed as a Transnational World Heritage Property in 2016 under The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement.

The recognition includes sites across Argentina, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Japan, and India.

The response has cast uncertainty over the role of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC), which was formed in 2012 following recommendations from the Expert Heritage Committee for Chandigarh.

Every project in the city requires CHCC approval, and 13 zones have been identified for heritage status, categorized under the Chandigarh Master Plan. The plan covers a range of structures, including private, commercial, religious, and cultural buildings.

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