The dawn of 2026 marks a pivotal year for Chandigarh, as the Union Territory prepares to launch a series of long-awaited civic and infrastructure projects. From a change in municipal leadership to sweeping reforms in transport and power distribution, the city is on the cusp of significant transformation aimed at easing congestion, promoting sustainability, and improving public services.
A New Civic Leader and Digital Parking Solutions
The year begins with a key political event: the election of a new Mayor for Chandigarh in the first week of January. The Mayor will be elected for a one-year term by the elected councillors of the General House. Notably, the nine nominated councillors do not have voting rights, while Member of Parliament Manish Tewari serves as the sole ex-officio voter. The current Mayor, BJP councillor Harpreet Babla, will complete her term this month.
Parallelly, the city's chronic parking woes are set to be addressed with the rollout of a unified smart parking system. The project, pending for years, aims to integrate all 89 paid parking sites under a single, technology-driven platform. Tenders for the initiative are expected soon. The system will be FASTag-based and feature fully digital payments. Commuters will gain the ability to check real-time parking availability and even pre-book slots before heading to busy commercial areas, a move designed to significantly reduce traffic congestion.
Major Transport Overhaul: Ring Road Revival and Full Electrification of Buses
In a major boost to regional connectivity, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has revived the Zirakpur ring road project, which had been stalled for nearly 15 years. Construction is slated to begin this year, with a target completion within two years. This ambitious 16.5-km long, six-lane bypass is designed to decongest Chandigarh by providing an alternative route for Shimla-bound traffic coming from Ambala. The proposed alignment will start near the Patiala–Zirakpur light point close to the airport, pass near McDonald's on the Ambala–Zirakpur highway, traverse through several villages in Mohali, and finally merge with the dividing road between Sectors 20 and 21 in Panchkula.
Simultaneously, Chandigarh is charging towards a greener public transport future. By the end of 2026, the city aims to operate a fully electric city bus fleet. According to Pradhuman Singh, Director (Transport) for the Chandigarh Administration, the city currently has 80 e-buses, with 100 more arriving shortly. Furthermore, under the PM-e-Bus Seva Scheme, 328 additional electric buses have been sanctioned, taking the total approved number to 428. This initiative will see the complete replacement of the existing 358 diesel buses in the Tricity. These modern buses, equipped with passenger information screens, panic buttons, mobile charging points, and air suspension, offer seating for 35 and standing space for 20.
Powering Up: CPDL's Consumer-Centric Reforms and Infrastructure Push
Substantial reforms are also underway in the power sector under Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL). Starting January 1, 2026, CPDL has shifted to monthly electricity billing to enhance consumer service. The new bills will feature masked consumer details, a QR code for easy access, and official contact information.
To bolster the power supply network, CPDL has planned a substantial capital expenditure of Rs 60 to 70 crore. This investment will fund critical upgrades, including the installation of three new power transformers and 200 additional distribution transformers. The utility will lay new underground 11 KV and thick forest feeders and phase out outdated equipment at grid substations by 2027. A major smart meter drive will see around 70,000 devices installed for high-tension connections, large consumers, and all three-phase connections.
In a step towards both employment and operational efficiency, CPDL will employ approximately 50 women for meter reading this year and provide structured training for employees transferred from EWEDC. Infrastructure development includes setting up a Safety Training Centre in Industrial Area Phase II and establishing a NABL-accredited meter testing laboratory in Sector 56. Within two years, the full operationalization of the SCADA system is expected, enabling centralized control and unmanned substations.
This confluence of projects across governance, transport, and utilities signifies a comprehensive effort to modernize Chandigarh's urban framework, addressing delays and setting a new benchmark for civic administration in the region.
