The proposed expansion plan of the Punjab Haryana HC complex is formally submitted to UNESCO by the Union Government, which is an important step towards balancing the demands in terms of judicial infrastructure and the preservation of the internationally recognised architectural heritage of India.
The proposal will be discussed now by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) in the framework of its 48th session, to be held in Busan, South Korea, between July 19 and 29, 2026.
The Reason the High Court Complex is of International Concern
The Punjab Haryana High Court complex is one of the most significant elements of the Capitol in Chandigarh which is a masterpiece of the great architect Le Corbusier. Capitol Complex was declared a World Heritage Site in 2016 by UNESCO, as this source of modern architecture and urban planning is unique.
Due to this status, any structural change or extension should be done internationally and, therefore, the proposal under consideration is a global heritage issue, not an ordinary construction project.
Background: Redesign and Objections Previously
Punjab Haryana HC Complex
Previous opposition The proposal to expand the High Court had previously been opposed at the 45th World Heritage Committee meeting at UNESCO in Riyadh in 2023 where the impact it could have on the site regarding its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) was raised.
After these objections, Indian officials made the following steps:
- Multiple technical reviews
- Design modifications
- Heritage advice sessions.
- Top-level meetings in Geneva in September 2025.
There is an increased sensitivity to heritage and the minimum amount of visual disturbance, which can be seen in the revised version.
Principal Changes on the Revised Expansion Plan
Based on the updated proposal procedures as reported in official documents dispatched by the Centre, the amended proposal entails:
- Constructed area: Some 20.49 lakh sq ft.
- New construction: Three more blocks.
- Basement levels: There are three underground levels.
- Parking capacity: Almost 2,450 vehicle space.
- Additional amenities: New court rooms, chambers of judges and administrative office.
One of the key concerns of the redesign is to make sure that the original skyline and visual axis of Capitol Complex are not disrupted.
Design Principles Followed
It has been emphasized that the expansion plan is based on:
- The system of Modulor of Le Corbusier.
- Proportions based on golden ratios.
- Heritage-compatible materials
- Subsurface construction to minimize surface effects.
The buildings to be proposed will not create a barrier to the iconic facade of the High Court or distract the open plaza, which is an architectural characteristic of the Capitol Complex.
Expansion Requirement: Increased Pressure of the Courts
This growth has been necessitated by the growing pressure on the infrastructure of the High Court:
- There are more than 4.12 lakh pending cases.
- The power of the judiciary is likely to grow considerably in the next few decades.
- The current courtrooms and offices are overstretched.
- There are extreme parking jams that interfere with the daily operations of the court.
According to the officials, the plan will help in the future requirements of the judiciary without affecting the heritage value.
What Happens Next
The project should be granted:
- The consent of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
- Apparently with a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA).
- The Indian law of statutory and environmental approvals.
There is also judicial attention to the case and the case is likely to be considered by a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, presided by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu.
A Fine Line Between Development and Conservation
The submission of the modified plan indicates the endeavor by India to achieve a delicate balance between the needs of modern governance and the need to preserve world heritage.
Should it be successful, the project may serve as an example of how critical institutions of the state can grow, in an environmentally-sustainable manner, in secured heritage areas, a problem of numerous historic cities across the world.
Bottom Line
Recommendation to UNESCO by the Centre leaves the fate of expansion of Punjab and Haryana High Court within the control of the international body concerned with heritage. This July 2026 decision is not only going to influence the Chandigarh skyline but it will also be a significant precedent on heritage-sensitive development within India.