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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
UT demolishes Furniture Market, reclaims 10–12 acres of land
The Chandigarh Administration Sunday showed its commitment to planned and sustainable urban development by demolishing the Furniture Market and reclaimed approximately 10–12 acres of land in sectors 53–54. As per a Chandigarh Administration official, the reclaimed land, acquired for the third phase of Chandigarh's urban expansion, has now been handed over to the Engineering Department for its planned development. It is valued at approximately Rs 400 crore. The original landowners have been duly compensated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, ensuring a fair and transparent acquisition process, added the official. Chandigarh's Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav has urged all citizens to refrain from unauthorised occupation of public land. On Sunday, the demolition drive at the 40-year-old furniture market in Sector 53 began at 7 am. It was backed by nearly 1,000 police personnel, civil defence volunteers, and heavy machinery, including JCBs and poclain machines. Officials from the UT Administration reached the site and made announcements urging shopkeepers to vacate the premises and remove their belongings. While many traders had already shifted their furniture, a few still had stock left. These shopkeepers were given a brief time to clear out before the demolition commenced in their shops. Rajeev Bhandari, brother of Furniture Market Association president Sanjeev Bhandari, expressed disappointment over the drive. 'We did everything we could to save this market — it holds over four decades of memories. Unfortunately, we now have no option but to relocate,' he said. The disputed land, part of a 227.22-acre acquisition made in 2002 for developing sectors 53, 54, and 55, included 10-12 acres allegedly encroached upon by furniture dealers. While 29 shops were already demolished on June 30, another 116 were razed Sunday, marking the final phase of the clearance. Cong slams demolition, demands immediate rehabilitation The Congress has criticised the Chandigarh Administration's demolition of the decades-old Furniture Market, calling the action arbitrary, unjust, and devoid of humanity. The move has displaced hundreds of shopkeepers and rendered numerous daily-wage workers jobless. Chandigarh Congress president H S Lucky criticised the administration for ignoring the Punjab and Haryana High Court's advice to take a sympathetic approach and explore possibilities of alternative site allotments for affected traders. 'The administration acted without proper notice, consultation, or arrangements for relocation. This isn't governance — it's a systematic attack on the livelihoods of ordinary citizens,' Lucky said. He accused the administration of repeatedly showing a lack of concern for people's lives and called for an immediate rehabilitation plan and alternative commercial spaces for the evicted shopkeepers. 'Demolition has become their only achievement' The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) opposed the Chandigarh Administration move to demolish decades-old furniture market in sectors 53–54, terming the action 'heartless' and 'ill-conceived.' The party accused the administration of systematically targeting the urban poor and small traders. 'The same administration that cleared slum clusters without proper rehabilitation has now bulldozed small furniture businesses, leaving over 100 shopkeepers and their families without livelihood,' said AAP Chandigarh president Vijaypal Singh. Singh added, 'These traders have been part of Chandigarh's economy for decades, contributing taxes and services. Their sudden eviction is unjust. The government must immediately announce compensation and a structured rehabilitation policy.' AAP general secretary Sunny Aulkakh emphasised that the Furniture Market had served the city's needs for nearly 40 years and that the overnight demolition without offering an alternative site was unacceptable. 'All affected shopkeepers must be allotted space in the proposed Sector 56 bulk market and compensated for their losses,' he said. Vikrant A Tanwar, AAP's general secretary (trade) and state media in-charge, declared the party's intent to escalate the issue at every available platform. 'We demand a joint committee with trader representatives to ensure transparency in compensation and fairness in relocation,' he said. The AAP also reminded the administration that true development should be measured by how many lives are improved — not how many livelihoods are destroyed. 'Small traders are the backbone of Chandigarh's economy. Demolition cannot be a substitute for policy,' the party said in a joint statement.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
We have our roots here: Sector 53 wood masters stare at broken future
Chandigarh: The outward bustle at the Furniture Market in Sector 53 has a heavy undertone. Customers walked amid the stacks of furniture as usual on Friday but the shopkeepers displaying their wares seemed preoccupied, their practised smiles looking more like a grimace. The market has been around for decades now and most of the furniture traders are second and even third generation businessmen. Their fathers and grandfathers set up base here when Chandigarh was still being developed. The location turned out to be fortuitous and the small-time labourers who came here for a fresh start received customers from all over Punjab. Those who man these shops now are solely dependent on the businesses set up by their fathers. Most are well into their 40s and 50s, with no idea what they would do if not this. Some, like Narinder Singh, are old-timers. Originally from Hisar, the sprightly and soft-spoken 66-year-old came to Chandigarh from Hisar in search of a better life. He learned carpentry and in 1993-94, decided to set up shop in the furniture market, which, according to the administration, was opened on encroached land. It's a charge he is quick to refute. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo "We did not encroach on any land. This market was already here when the land was acquired," he asserted, his hand trembling slightly as he poured himself a cup of tea from a steaming kettle. According to Narinder, those who opened shops here paid rent to the original landowners of Badheri village and were "lessees". "A lifetime has passed. If they evict us now, I don't know what we will do," he said, solemnly sipping his tea. "Its not just the shopkeepers," said Bhupinder Singh, an elderly man sitting with Narinder. The resident of Sector 118, Mohali, supplies raw material for furniture making. His clientele is mostly from the Sector 53 market. "There are 116 shops here and on an average, 10 workers to each shop. Besides there are people like me, whose businesses are allied to theirs. What will become of us?" he wondered aloud. The question drew a troubled sigh from Lovedeep Singh, 34, who owns the neighbouring shop which was opened by his grandfather in 1985. "I joined the business at 19. This is my whole life," he said. "It's not that the administration did not propose an alternative but we were told that an open auction would be held for slots at the bulk market. We don't want an open auction as it would leave the field open to bidders with more money and more resources than us. Where would that leave us?" he asked. He also pointed out that the shopkeepers here had GST numbers and paid taxes. Market association president Saneev Bhandari said that the Chandigarh administration issued a notice about acquisition of the land for development of phase 3 of sectors 53, 54 and 55. The traders moved Punjab and Haryana high court and secured a stay on demolition in 1992. In 2024, the UT decided to offer them shops on leasehold basis in the bulk market. The shops were to be auctioned. "We are willing to leave but we want the administration to keep its promise of rehabilitation and we want the entire market to be moved. No one should be left behind. We want to survive together," he said, adding that they had been repeatedly meeting politicians and the UT administrator, seeking redress. "What will we do if we are thrown out on the road? We took loans when we were assured of being rehabilitated. How will we repay the loans? At this stage, how will we survive," he said. The forlorn expression was quickly replaced by one of quiet confidence. He gestured towards a picture of Goddess Durga on the shelf and said, "Mata rani dekh rahi hain, yehi karengi. Humne kuch galat nai kiya hai." The market's troubled past --In 1985, a few furniture shops began operating informally on the land --Over the next 30 years, the area evolved into a thriving furniture market but lacked legal authorisation --The land was officially acquired by the Chandigarh administration in 2002 and original landowners were compensated --Present shopkeepers at the market maintain that they had been paying rent to the original landowners and were already there when the administration acquired the land Legal action --In September 2023, the Punjab and Haryana high court dismissed all petitions by shopkeepers, affirming UT's right to reclaim the land What shopkeepers want --Shopkeepers at the market say that they are willing to leave but want to be relocated to the new bulk market --They say that they have been earning a livelihood here for a long time, with many shops being run by second and third generation descendants of the original settlers --They maintain that they pay substantial GST and other taxes
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Indian Express
Illegal shanties in Adarsh Colony: Tens of thousands rendered homeless in UT admn's demolition action to reclaim 12 acres
Leaving tens of thousands of people homeless, around 800-1,000 illegal shanties were demolished to reclaim 12 acres of land, here at Adarsh Colony, located between Sector 53 and 54, Chandigarh on Thursday. The colony came up nearly two decades ago on approximately six acres of government land behind the Furniture Market in Sector 53, and 54. The estimated value of the encroached land is Rs 250 crore. Speaking on the occasion, Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar stated that 'this drive is not just about reclaiming land but sending a clear message that illegal encroachments will not be tolerated. The reclaimed land will now be utilised in accordance with planned urban development goals to benefit the larger community'. The operation commenced in the early hours of the morning, in the vigil of Chandigarh Police, which deployed its personnel to maintain law and order and to facilitate the safe and smooth execution of the drive. 'The entire operation was conducted under the direct supervision of senior officers of the Chandigarh Administration and police, reflecting the administration's firm resolve to maintain urban discipline and uphold the rule of law,' an official of Chandigarh Administration said. The official added that this initiative is part of a larger anti-encroachment campaign aimed at reclaiming government land and safeguarding public spaces from illegal occupations. The administration claimed it had served multiple notices and warnings to unauthorised occupants in the recent past, providing ample opportunity for voluntary compliance. Despite previous notices, several structures and makeshift dwellings had continued to encroach upon government land. Acting decisively, the administration said it mobilised all necessary machinery, including earth movers and support teams, to remove these illegal constructions, added the official. Only one slum now: Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 Following the demolition of Adarsh Colony, only one slum — Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 — will remain, which has about 300 shanties spread across four acres of government land, valued at Rs 150 crore. Earlier, on May 6, the UT Estate Office had demolished Janta Colony in Sector 25, reclaiming around 10 acres of government land worth Rs 350 crore. The reclaimed site has been earmarked for a dispensary, primary school, community centre and shopping area. Prior to that, on April 24, over 1,000 makeshift structures were razed in Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area, Phase 1. The colony had been encroaching on nearly six acres of prime government land. The UT administration has been working to make Chandigarh slum-free since the early 2000s. In 2006, it launched a rehabilitation initiative under the Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme, earmarking 356 acres for the construction of 25,728 flats intended to house 23,841 families from 18 unauthorised colonies. Over the years, the administration has carried out multiple demolition drives. In 2013, it razed Colony Number 5, followed by Colony Number 4 in 2022.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh admn all set to raze Adarsh Colony on June 19
Moving ahead with its slum-free campaign, the UT Estate Office is prepared to demolish Adarsh Colony in Sector 54 — one of the only two remaining slums in Chandigarh — on June 19. The colony, which came up nearly two decades ago on approximately six acres of government land, currently houses around 800 shanties behind the Furniture Market. The estimated value of the encroached land is ₹250 crore. Following this demolition, only one slum — Shahpur Colony in Sector 38 — will remain. This illegal settlement has about 300 shanties spread across four acres of government land, valued at ₹150 crore. Chandigarh deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav confirmed the action, stating, 'Adarsh Colony will be demolished on June 19, and notices have already been issued to the residents.' Regarding Shahpur Colony, he explained, 'The extent of government land encroached upon is comparatively smaller, with most of the dwellings built on private agricultural land. However, we plan to take legal opinion and proceed with demolition within a month.' When asked about steps to prevent future encroachments, Yadav said, 'Instructions have been issued to the estate team to regularly monitor vacant government land. If any encroachment is found, it must be cleared immediately.' Earlier, on May 6, the UT Estate Office had demolished Janta Colony in Sector 25, reclaiming around 10 acres of government land worth ₹350 crore. The reclaimed site has been earmarked for a dispensary, primary school, community centre and shopping area. Prior to that, on April 24, over 1,000 makeshift structures were razed in Sanjay Colony in Industrial Area, Phase 1. The colony had been encroaching on nearly six acres of prime government land. The UT administration has been working to make Chandigarh slum-free since the early 2000s. In 2006, it launched a rehabilitation initiative under the Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme, earmarking 356 acres for the construction of 25,728 flats intended to house 23,841 families from 18 unauthorised colonies. The identified families, comprising over 1 lakh residents, are required to pay a nominal monthly rent after relocation. However, delays and non-payment have resulted in significant outstanding dues. Over the years, the administration has carried out multiple demolition drives. In 2013, it razed Colony Number 5, followed by Colony Number 4 in 2022. Together, these two slums had occupied over 165 acres of government land. Other demolished slums include Mazdoor Colony, Kuldeep Colony, Pandit Colony, Nehru Colony, Ambedkar Colony, Kajheri Colony, and Madrasi Colony.
