Kataria seeks Centre’s push for museum upgrade, global sports events

Chandigarh: Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria Friday met the vice-president and Union ministers in New Delhi, seeking support for heritage conservation and sports infrastructure projects in Chandigarh.In a meeting with Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Kataria sought financial and technical assistance under the Museum Grant Scheme to modernise the Government Museum and Art Gallery. He stressed upgrading the Grade-I heritage structure designed by Le Corbusier, enhancing conservation of rare collections and improving visitor facilities.Kataria also met Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, pitching Chandigarh as a venue for major international events, including the Asian Relay Championships 2027, the Asian Roller Skating Championships 2027 and the International Chandigarh Marathon 2026.He sought support for a proposed state-of-the-art multipurpose indoor sports hall at Sector 42 to boost the city’s capacity to host national and global events. Officials said the minister assured all assistance.Earlier, Kataria called on Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan and discussed key governance priorities and development initiatives related to Punjab and Chandigarh.