Chandigarh is set to undergo a major tourism transformation with a Rs 100-crore master plan that has received administrative approval from the UT Administration. The plan, the first of its kind for the city, aims to reposition the “City Beautiful” as a prime tourist destination rather than a transit stop for travellers heading to Himachal Pradesh and other hill states.
The comprehensive Tourism Master Plan has now been submitted to the Union Ministry of Tourism for consideration under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, which supports thematic tourism development projects across India. Officials confirmed that administrative clearance was completed earlier this month, paving the way for central evaluation and funding.
According to senior UT officials, the plan envisions a series of new infrastructure and cultural projects designed to boost visitor experience, promote heritage, and enhance the city’s tourism economy. Among the major proposals is a Concert-cum-Exhibition Centre to be built at Sarangpur village at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore. Spread over nearly 25 acres, the facility will feature a large open-air arena capable of hosting 30,000 to 35,000 people, along with multi-level parking and landscaped public spaces.
A second flagship project, a Digital Museum in Sector 18, will use augmented and virtual reality to narrate Chandigarh’s architectural evolution and urban planning legacy. The project, estimated at Rs 20 crore, is intended to provide an immersive learning experience for both residents and visitors, highlighting the work of city planner Le Corbusier and the region’s post-independence development story.
The third major project, costing around Rs 35 crore, involves establishing a Natural History Museum within the existing Museum and Art Gallery complex in Sector 10. This addition will feature interactive exhibits focused on evolution, biodiversity, and the natural world, complementing the city’s existing art and heritage attractions.
Apart from these marquee developments, the plan also focuses on promoting eco-tourism, wellness tourism, and film tourism. The administration intends to upgrade existing natural attractions such as Sukhna Lake, Leisure Valley, and various nature trails to offer enhanced facilities for cycling, boating, and nature walks. Provisions have also been made for a single-window clearance system for film producers to attract more shoots to the city, with the aim of boosting local employment and creative industry activity.
Officials noted that the move comes at a time when Chandigarh’s tourist arrivals have shown a positive trend. Between January and June 2025, the city recorded nearly Six lakh tourists, up from about 4.8 lakh during the same period in 2024 — a jump of over 25%. In 2024, total tourist arrivals crossed 10 lakh, including around 40,000 international visitors.
Speaking about the vision behind the project, officials said the goal is to extend visitor stays and create more engaging experiences rooted in Chandigarh’s modern heritage and natural charm. “Chandigarh has always been admired for its architecture and greenery, but it has never been packaged as a complete destination. This plan seeks to change that,” said an official from the UT Tourism Department.
The plan also includes proposals for skill training of guides, drivers, and hospitality workers to improve tourist services. Digital tools such as upgraded websites, mobile apps, and interactive kiosks are part of the broader strategy to make Chandigarh a tech-enabled tourism destination.
While the administrative approval is done, the next step will be central government sanction and release of funds under Swadesh Darshan 2.0. Detailed project reports for each component will then be finalised before construction begins.
Experts have welcomed the initiative but cautioned that timely execution, preservation of architectural heritage, and maintenance of environmental balance will determine its long-term success. If implemented as planned, the Rs 100-crore tourism makeover could redefine Chandigarh’s tourism landscape — positioning the city as a cultural, eco-friendly
and technology-driven destination of northern India.