Le Corbusier’s Code For Sukhna Lake is cracking. When the visionary architect of Chandigarh created the city and the lake, he spelt out his vision for the Sukhna Lake area on a plaque installed there. The plaque is adjacent to the gigantic heritage tree near the entrance.
The plaque reads, “THE FOUNDERS OF CHANDIGARH HAVE OFFERED THIS LAKE AND DAM TO THE CITIZENS OF THE NEW CITY SO THAT THEY MAY ESCAPE THE HUMDRUM OF CITY LIFE AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF NATURE IN PEACE AND SILENCE”.
The entire message is written in full capital letters, perhaps to drive home the importance of this vision for the founders and also for the people.
Cracks are developing in the Sukhna Lake code because the custodians of the lake do not seem to be serious in following it in letter and spirit. On a recent visit to the lake in the morning, I found bicycles parked near the heritage tree. I asked some regular walkers whether bicycles are allowed at the lake. The plaque gave the impression that no traffic is allowed.
They responded that bicycles are not allowed anywhere on the walkway adjacent to the lake. They were sorrowful that regular police patrolling does not happen on the walkway, so the cyclists have started parking their cycles near the heritage tree and also in the long, open area near the main entrance close to the food shops.
“Some of us used to go to the police to tell them that cycles were parked near the heritage tree or in the open area near the main entrance. Then some friends told us that the policemen at the Lake Police Post have started mocking and even abusing us behind our back for complaining regularly about the cycles parked there. Policemen say that only one person is on duty, so he cannot set off for regular patrolling to stop anyone. Now we don’t go and complain. We don’t want to get abused,” said a walker.
The regular walkers said that steadily, many things which were considered sacrosanct at the lake are flouted with ease. Right behind the block where Le Corbusier’s plaque is installed, a sign board reads ‘Silence Zone’. Old timers at the lake told me that now, youngsters exercising in the space next to the sign board.often put on loud music blaring on speakers. “It is for the police to stop them. If we commoners stop them, they angrily respond that who are you to question us? Sometimes arguments take place,” said a regular walker.
Other walkers said that at times, speakers who address the yoga group at the regulator end of the lake use loudspeakers even though only 10-15 people are sitting. “We all know that loudspeakers are not allowed at the lake. But the speakers there use it at times, and nobody stops them,” said a gentleman in his 50s.
On his observation, a group of people collected near him. They said that regarding the use of loudspeakers, who will stop whom? At times even the government organizes functions at the lake in which loudspeakers are used.
“Corbusier’s vision was that people should enjoy the beauty of nature in peace and silence, away from traffic,” said a walker.
The tower at the lake was recently converted into Sukhna Interpretation Centre. Corbusier and his co-designer Pierre Jeanneret wrote that they created the lake to enable the people “To see the stars in the sky and the stars in the mountains too, in the water and all in absolute silence”, said a walker.
“Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret’s vision for the lake should be followed in letter and spirit. The UT Administration and the police must ensure it,” he added.
While talking, we reached the end of the walkway near the CITCO restaurant. The gentlemen accompanying me showed me trash and garbage collection rehris parked next to the huge tree here, behind the children’s amusement set up. “This is one of the most prime areas of Chandigarh. Garbage has been stashed here and it has been made a parking area for rehris collecting trash. This is a heritage site for Chandigarh where we invite tourists and showcase it internationally,” he said.
The regular walkers said the police must keep a strict watch to ensure that the vision for Sukhna Lake is not knocked down. “Cyclists should not be allowed at the lake. Loud music should not be allowed. The area close to the CITCO restaurant and the huge tree must be kept clean. It is for the custodians of the lake to make sure that rules are followed and the sanctity of Sukhna Lake is protected,” they said.
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