Experience Corbusier’s creations on a bicycle

The

UNESCO heritage site

of

Capitol Complex

is now accessible on bicycles. Tourists thronging the site, which epitomizes architecturally-rich heritage of Chandigarh, can now ride these spanking bicycles, docked outside the Tourist Information Centre (TIC), to venture out on guided tours. Apart from the facility, the tourism department has also introduced umbrellas to help tourists keep rains and sun at bay.
All these steps will provide more comfort to tourists who can now observe the works of Chandigarh’s planner Le Corbusier— a Swiss-French architect— while riding a bicycle. However, the

bicycle tour

right now has limited access, owing to the security cordon around the site, which is under the control of paramilitary forces. The department of tourism is planning to take up the matter with the ministry, making the whole area accessible on a cycle.
The idea was implemented recently to mark the second anniversary of conferring of heritage status to the complex (the site was awarded heritage status in 2016). UT department of tourism rolled out an array of initiatives, including launching of postcards (10 in number) and posters (five) themed around the Capitol Complex. Said director (tourism) Jitender Yadav, “All these measures have been implemented after feedback collected from visitors. This will help visitors explore the site easily. The long distances of the Capitol Complex tour can now be covered comfortably.” Commenting on the umbrellas, he said, “These will be provided free of cost.”
Besides 20 umbrellas, there are 20 bicycles, including six smaller ones for kids, available on demand at TIC. In fact, tourists can utilize the facility to cover nearby areas too, including Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden etc. According to the in-charge of TIC (Capitol Complex), Nishant Katoch, people have taken the idea well. “Right now, one can cover

Open Hand monument

area, outer section of the Punjab and Haryana High Court building, Assembly building entrance and secretariat’s outer section.”
The whole Capitol Complex is otherwise spread over 100 acres with the serene Shivalik hills making for a perfect backdrop. According to information, back-to-back familiarization tours of Capitol Complex take place, with each lasting for about more than an hour. “Soon more steps will be taken, particularly on the bicycle tours,” said a source
A family from Herentals, a city in Belgium, visiting the site looked excited. “It’s a good idea. Not only does cycling help save the environment, but is also good for health. In Belgium we extensively use cycles, be it going to the office or running errands,” said Susy Matthing. Her son Tyl Leyssen too rode a bicycle to the outer area of the complex. “In my city in Belgium we are habitual to cycling around. Seeing the use of cycles getting popular here too, it feels good.” The entire family visited Capitol Complex to study the finer details of the structures. “It’s our first visit and it turned out to be a great experience, especially while taking a tour of the heritage site,” said Win Leyssen.
The family, along with five other tourists took a trip of the Complex and saw all main concrete buildings including Secretariat, the Legislative Assembly and the Punjab and Haryana High court apart from visiting monuments— Open Hand, Martyr’s Memorial, the Geometric Hill, the Tower of Shadows and the Modular.