If I had to describe Chandigarh in 6 words, the title of this blogpost would suffice. The city looks completely organised even from the aircraft. Le Corbusier decided to use brick-red as the dominant colour of the buildings and walls in the city. The fact that everything is so well-planned and organised makes the city absolutely empty.
As in most parts of India, the auto-drivers are a bunch of con-artists, but there is an excellent network of local buses that connects just about every sector in the city. I guess the buses are empty since Chandigarh is more or less a rich city and most families own 2 cars. There was a disproportional number of Mercs and BMWs in the city. There’s a lot of money now in the smaller towns and cities in India.
A visit to the Sukhna Lake area is enough to spot a glimpse of the well-heeled residents of the city. The fashion and brand-conscious citizens of Chandigarh also take their fitness seriously and they have a moderate climate to support a good fitness regime.
For someone coming from chaotic suburban Bombay, the broad streets and glorious tree-lined avenues, was something of a shocker. No matter how much you read about a place, it isn’t you see it with your own eyes that you understand what it’s all about.
I wouldn’t classify the capital of Punjab and Haryana as a particularly friendly city but there were some nice people I ended up having random conversations lakeside. I’d have to say that the Rock Garden is Chandigarh’s most unique attraction. A fine collection of sculptures made from rocks, recycled pipes, tubes, ceramics and other waste. The founder is a real genius!
Sitting up in the Interstate Bus Terminus in the city, I realise that I am really in North India. Buses go from here to Pathankot, Jammu, Maler Kotla and Gurdaspur. Now that is what I would call exotic.
Seeing how this example of a planned city works, I don’t understand why other cities weren’t built using the Chandigarh model? India is in desperate need of them.
As in most parts of India, the auto-drivers are a bunch of con-artists, but there is an excellent network of local buses that connects just about every sector in the city. I guess the buses are empty since Chandigarh is more or less a rich city and most families own 2 cars. There was a disproportional number of Mercs and BMWs in the city. There’s a lot of money now in the smaller towns and cities in India.
A visit to the Sukhna Lake area is enough to spot a glimpse of the well-heeled residents of the city. The fashion and brand-conscious citizens of Chandigarh also take their fitness seriously and they have a moderate climate to support a good fitness regime.
For someone coming from chaotic suburban Bombay, the broad streets and glorious tree-lined avenues, was something of a shocker. No matter how much you read about a place, it isn’t you see it with your own eyes that you understand what it’s all about.
I wouldn’t classify the capital of Punjab and Haryana as a particularly friendly city but there were some nice people I ended up having random conversations lakeside. I’d have to say that the Rock Garden is Chandigarh’s most unique attraction. A fine collection of sculptures made from rocks, recycled pipes, tubes, ceramics and other waste. The founder is a real genius!
Sitting up in the Interstate Bus Terminus in the city, I realise that I am really in North India. Buses go from here to Pathankot, Jammu, Maler Kotla and Gurdaspur. Now that is what I would call exotic.
Seeing how this example of a planned city works, I don’t understand why other cities weren’t built using the Chandigarh model? India is in desperate need of them.
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