CHANDIGARH: India and France on Saturday approved the 'twinning of cities' project that will take Chandigarh to the next level in terms of overall development and ensure its modern architectural heritage is protected.

The agreement was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France.

Under the project, Chandigarh and Urban Community of Plaine Commune (a group of eight municipalities in France) will work together to give vibrant look to city's heritage buildings like the Capitol Complex, designed by Le Corbusier.

The commune will also help in preservation and sustainability of heritage items, preparation of heritage conservation and management plans.

Under the project, redevelopment of villages and regeneration of city's commercial development will be other focus areas.

TOI in October last year had first reported the proposed twinning of cities project.

UT home secretary Anurag Agarwal said it was a big day for Chandigarh.

"It's a powerful agreement that will herald a new era of development in the city.

"With the twinning of cities pact, now both Plaine Commune and Chandigarh will work together by exchanging technologies, ideas, architectural and other information for the development and beautification of the city," said Agarwal. "The process for the agreement was on for some time and just few days before the PM's visit to France, we sent some more documents to press for our case.

According to UT officials, there are lots of similarities between Chandigarh and Plaine Commune, especially in terms of architecture thanks to Corbusier.