Chandigarh needs comprehensive tourism policy

ny city, in order to qualify, as an international tourism destination, needs several essential factors, but foremost is its visual appeal.  Of course, this does require trained manpower at all touch points to manage the people who are out to explore a city, with requisite supportive infrastructure and clear information.  

Neelam Theatre in Sector 17 at dusk. (c) CJ Singh

Chandigarh may look visually appealing in the day-light and that too at only certain tourist places, but largely, for an unaided tourist driving into the city, it looks unappealing with no visual attraction in most of the other Sectors, since the rear portion of most houses or commercial buildings with back lanes, unkempt shrubs, building waste, etc. would confront any first time visitor. 
On the other hand, the MC's advertising display policy, surprisingly, does not allow businesses to thrive and advertise their presence, thanks to the building bye-laws that have long since been obsolete. 
The city needs a comprehensive tourism policy which can help not only the local business to thrive, but increase the commercial activity that could ensure better standards of life for the residents, as well as more revenue for the Administration to upkeep its public tourist places.  Over the last several years, there had hardly been any substantial increase in the inflow of tourists, primarily because many of the events that can attract foreign tourists do not get to know of it in the absence of its listing on national/international tourism calendars, 
The policy should encompasss right from training to information management, signage, lighting of important monuments and buildings, displays and sculptures, etc. 
Regular training of personnel manning all touch points for tourists right from the waiter in Shatabadi, or a porter and rickshawala at the bus stand/railway station, reception desk in hotels, to guides .  It requires training of cab and 3-wheeler drivers, and those fulfilling the international standard of quality of service and maintenance of their vehicles should get a special badge/sticker to display on their vehicle so that the tourists could use those certified vehicles only. 
The rickshaws should be restricted to ply only on certain routes within the sectors and intra-sectors through internal roads (V3 to V6 only), instead of using the V2, V1, or V roads. 
For a new visitor, entering the city through any mode presents a drab and uninteresting feel. The airport and railway station should be more inviting with tourism hoardings inviting the tourists to key destinations. 
During the day light, the architectural beauty in the northern sector is of course, provides a visual delight but at night, none of these buildings or monument have artistic lighting to make them appealing.  

Buddha Park behind Sukhna Lake. (C) CJ Singh. .

The Buddha peace park behind the Sukhna Lake is a visual delight only at night, though it is other thing, that many a times when I took some guests from abroad to the place in the evening, the spot lights were not working, and there was no one at the place or any information counter where one could contact someone and ask for the blackout. 
The reason is simple. For most of us, it is just a job. I may not switch on/off the lights because it does not concern me. I had a flat tyre. I did not feel like coming. I had to go with my wife for picking up vegetables. And you can hear all of these one time or the other.  None of the officials on the ground I have talked to at various public places, have an answer. Mostly they are absent. And if they are there, their excuse revolves around their own self, and not on the fact, that how much their action impacts the impressions of the city, its administration, and its people, on the visitors.
It may appear herculean task but is doable, given the will, the strategic systematic approach and execution which is possible only through a comprehensive tourism policy

Multiplexes in Chandigarh

The single-screen cinemas are gradually giving way to multiplexes.  I remember visiting the Sector 17 shopping complex in 1967. The sprawling wide spaces were awe inspiring. The original SCOs of Sector 17 market were in place. Neelam and Jagat cinema were newly built, and helpful gatekeeper helped our family see the interiors as he let us peep through its plush interiors. For Ambala-bred family, the red carpeted grand stairs, and grandiose chandeliers, with 70mm screens were enough to make our decision to make our home in this city.

And when in 1969 we shifted to this new capital city of Punjab, it was a cultural transition, Kiran was the place to enjoy hitherto unknown Hollywood movies on Sunday morning, which later shifted to the round-domed KC theatre when it got ready.   
However, these single-screens also lived their life-spans as we discovered multiplex in Delhi.  

However, Kiran Theatre  that stands on 1800 sqyd plot in another popular and busy shopping area of Sector 22, was the first one to be built in 1953, the lone reminder of the city's heritage (amongst the cinema houses at least).  The Administration has rightfully denied it the permission to be converted into a multiplex though the new design claims to retain its original facade, many others are shedding their old garb to grab the dwindling cine-lovers into small multi-screen outfits. 

Jagat Theatre has already converted into one but has failed to meet various criteria to become operational. Neelam in the main market of Sector 17 has turned into an eyesore with management handing over even its entry gates to the small-time hawkers who sell samosas, tikkis, and pakoras. 

Batra is a non-entity with some calling it a bhoot-bangla considering its large structure and dimly lighted dusty interiors, with Nirman in Sector 32 not lagging behind. 

The unique architecture of KC theatre has however was razed long time back and it has yet to emerge from the ashes, while Piccadily has quickly transformed itself into a new-age multiplex.  

For the growing young crowd, cinema remains one of the preferred destination for those seeking three-hours of quite dark places, yet a few connoisseurs of good cinema won't mind a comfortable cushioned interiors of multi-screen outfits.  

For the cine-hoppers, here are your entertainment destinations : 

• D T Cinema, IT Park, Chandigarh, Ph: 0172-5003004
• Jagat Theatre, Sector 17-E, Chandigarh Ph: 0172-2702282 
• Kiran Cinema, Sector 22-D, Chandigarh Ph: 0172-2705082
• Nirman Theatre, Sector 32-D, Chandigarh
• PVR Multiplex, Centra Mall, Industrial Area, Phase 1, Chandigarh
• Batra Theatre, Sector 37, Chandigarh Ph: 0172-2724100
• Fun Republic, Dhillon Complex, Mani Majra, 0172-5050153
• Piccadily Cinema, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh Ph: 0172-2602000

What's so great about Chandigarh?

In order to promote Chandigarh as a real tourist destination, it needs to create its niche in some select sectors with appropriate facilitating infrastructure and communication system. 

More than anything else, a singular strength of this city is its unique architectural beauty.  The city had been the seat of one of Le Corbusier's landmark creation ... a complete city from nowhere.  Just an aerial survey (with no facilities of Google Earth/Maps or GPS), and the decision was made by the visionary like the late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru to find a new capital city for Punjab. 

Right from the conception of open hand, the Capitol complex and numerous other architectural masterpieces that dot the city, it should be a tourist delight.  Recently famous Italian architect Marco Carrano on his visit to the city to be a part of Le Corbusier's 125th birth anniversary, minced no words to announce that  "Chandigarh should be made the centre of international architecture." 

The first and foremost responsibility exists for all stakeholders associated with the city including the Chandigarh Administration, architecture department, the Architecture College, the entire community of architects and prominent citizens, to create a master plan to promote the city as a destination for tourists.  

• Have a guided tour plan created with appropriate promotional literature, website/blog, social media network, with supportive video clips, documentaries, etc. 
• Train a set of architecture students to be official guides for the visitors who are interested in exploring the city's architecture. 
• Create a visitors' impressions diary for record purposes. 
• Beautify the Le Corbusier's centre in Sector 19 on Madhya Marg, with detailed descriptions inside the rooms. 
• An architectural walk-through for the people to virtually explore the city.
• Work for getting World Heritage Sites status for the city/sites
• Restore the damaged artifacts/furniture etc, for the posterity with complete technical documentation. 

Air Taxi to Amritsar from Chandigarh

A low-airfare flight to Amritsar has begun from Chandigarh. Air Mantra has deployed 18-seater Beechcraft for air taxi service to Amritsar and back.
The service was started on July 23 with two flights either way in the morning and evening.
The ticket costs approximately Rs.2,000 with all taxes etc, and can be booked online on www.airmantra.com.
Chandigarh is now well connected with 18 flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Srinagar, Jammu, Jaipur, and Indore.