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Indian Express
3 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
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
City's iconic furniture market demolished
1 2 3 4 Chandigarh: Despite earnest but futile efforts by shopkeepers in the furniture market, bulldozers rolled in early on Sunday morning, flattening the four decade old market. As a few shopkeepers frantically tried to remove the remaining stock and others cried, a large police force stood guard at the market on the road dividing sectors 53 and 54. The Chandigarh administration has pegged the market value of the land, which spans around 10 to 12 acres, at Rs 400 crore. This time, the administration made a determined push to free the prime land from the traders they have repeatedly described as encroachers. A total of 116 shops were demolished during the drive, which lasted about four hours. No untoward incidents were reported as the market, which was established in 1986, was razed. To prevent protests, the Chandigarh administration deployed around 1,000 police officers and sealed roads leading to the demolition area. Personnel from the MC, civil defence, fire and emergency services, and enforcement department were also present. The demolition drive was scheduled to start at 7am but the staff involved turned up earlier. In the wake of fervent appeals by shopkeepers struggling to remove heavy furniture from their shops, they were given two more hours to do so. In the absence of resources like godowns or alternative sites, desperate shopkeepers resorted to distress sale of furniture at throwaway prices, offering 50% to 60% discounts. Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, along with other administrative and police officials, also visited the furniture market to assess the demolition drive and the situation on the ground. When the dust settled towards the evening, the Chandigarh administration said that it was committed to planned and sustainable urban development, with public interest as its guiding priority. "The administration has successfully reclaimed approximately 10 to 12 acres of land in Sectors 53–54, previously under illegal occupation by the furniture market. 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. Valued at approximately Rs 400 crore, the land holds significant importance for the city's growth and future infrastructure projects," an official release from the Chandigarh administration reads. Referring to the compensation given to original landowners at the time of land acquisition years ago, the administration stated, "The original landowners have been duly compensated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, ensuring a fair and transparent acquisition process. It is the Chandigarh administration's firm stance against illegal encroachments. All unauthorized occupations of public land will be dealt with strictly, and appropriate measures will continue to be taken to prevent such violations in the future. " Meanwhile, shopkeepers at the furniture market maintain that they never encroached on the land. According to them, they had been paying rent to the original landowners much before the administration acquired the land. They had agreed to be relocated and were trying to buy time so that they could gather resources for auction and to pay off loans. **Box: Greater good: DC Chandigarh deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said, "I urge all the citizens of the city to uphold the city's planned character and to refrain from unauthorized occupation of public land. Such initiatives are essential for Chandigarh's holistic development and to ensure that public resources are utilised for the greater good of all residents." Box: Betrayed, lied to: Traders assn Talking to TOI, Sanjiv Bhandari, president, Furniture Market Association, said, "Chandigarh administration has acted atrociously by removing us before rehabilitating us. We are not encroachers and have been here since 1986. The Chandigarh administration itself conducted surveys six times. We were ready to make payment, but the administration did not listen to us." Maintaining that the furniture market was the oldest in the city and the shopkeepers had been paying taxes diligently, he said that the market provided employment and income to over 5,000 people. Accusing the administration of reneging on its promise and organising the drive in a way that they would not been able to get a court reprieve, Bhandari said, "Our matter is still pending with the High Court, and the date is scheduled for Tuesday, and they demolished the market today (Sunday). We supported the administration each and every time, but they did not listen to us. They promised us to first give the land and then remove us from here, which they did not do. " Highlights of the drive —116 shops demolished in a 4-hour operation on Sunday morning. —Market was located between Sectors 53 and 54, established in 1986. —10–12 acres of prime land reclaimed, valued at Rs 400 crore Security & Execution —1,000 police personnel deployed to prevent protests —Roads leading to the market were sealed —Officials from MC, civil defence, fire services, and enforcement were present —Shopkeepers were given 2 extra hours to remove furniture. Impact on Traders —Traders resorted to distress sales with 50–60% discounts —No alternative sites or godowns provided. —Market supported over 5,000 livelihoods. —Traders claim they were paying rent and were willing to relocate, but were denied time and support. Administration's Stand —Land handed over to Engineering Department for urban development. —Original landowners were compensated as per law —Administration reiterated its stance against illegal encroachments (Photos by Pritam Thakur) MSID:: 122798777 413 |
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Chandigarh furniture market demolition today: Before sledgehammers, steal deals
A day before the scheduled demolition of the furniture market at Sectors 53-54, Chandigarh, buyers flocked to the market, hoping to buy furniture at discounted prices. Functioning illegally on 'encroached' land since 1985, the furniture market is set to suffer demolition on July 20, with Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav announcing the deployment of more than 1,000 police personnel for the demolition drive, beginning at 7 am. As the market opened on Saturday, a large number of buyers from the Tricity — Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali — reached there to get 'good discounts'. A Haryana government employee, on condition of anonymity, told The Indian Express that he purchased a seven-seater sofa for Rs 25,000 at a good discount. 'The actual price of the sofa was Rs 35,000, but I got a discount of Rs 10,000, because shopkeepers are clearing their stocks,' he said. Rampal from Kharar also bought a pair of wooden chairs for his home at a discounted price of Rs 6,000 instead of the actual price of Rs 8,000. Sanjeev Bhandari, president of the market association, said, 'We have been doing business here for the past 36 years, and are paying taxes, electricity bills, GST, etc. We are not encroachers… we are businessmen. Our case is pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In January, the Deputy Commissioner and the UT Administrator had promised rehabilitation, but now bulldozers will demolish our livelihoods.' Shopkeepers claimed that there had been multiple occasions in the past when the UT administration gave them written assurances that they would be relocated. 'We had prepared ourselves mentally to shift legally by paying a rightful amount, but the Chandigarh administration broke our trust. We are businessmen, not land grabbers. We appeal to the government and the BJP to stop this injustice,' shopkeepers told The Indian Express. The furniture market has 116 shops spread over nearly 15 acres of agricultural land on the busy road connecting Chandigarh and Mohali. The market is a major choke point for traffic, with no parking facility for customers. Visitors park their vehicles on the road, creating traffic snarls. In 1993, the Chandigarh Administration had carried out a similar demolition drive to remove shops from the area, but the shopkeepers approached the high court and the drive was stayed. Officials said that the administration had purchased a portion of the encroached land in 2002, and they had been making efforts to clear it of all encroachments. However, the shopkeepers again approached the high court. The case went on for several years, and their petitions were eventually dismissed in September 2023. Since then, the administration has made multiple efforts to get the land vacated. Several rounds of talks with the shopkeepers were also held, but to no avail. Demolition drives were announced earlier, too, but not carried out due to the negotiations between the shopkeepers and the administration. The administration has been asking the shopkeepers to participate in the open auction of shops in the upcoming Bulk Material Market at Sector 56, but the shopkeepers sought assured allotments in Sector 56 instead of their existing shops.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
375 volunteers get training in civil defence
Chandigarh: The third and final batch of the Civil Defence Training Programme concluded on Saturday at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA), Sector 26. Over the course of the initiative, a total of 375 volunteers were trained across three intensive batches. The programme combined rigorous academic training with practical, real-world application. A UT spokesperson said, "A major highlight of this final batch was the volunteers' field visit to the Chandimandir Cantonment, where they participated in hands-on drills and exercises under the expert supervision of senior military officials." These simulations replicated emergency scenarios such as natural disasters, fire incidents, and large-scale evacuations, equipping volunteers with the skills, confidence, and composure required to respond effectively in real crisis situations. The experience also instilled key values of discipline, precision, and collaboration essential for civil defence operations. Before the field engagement, participants underwent training at MGSIPA. Designed by domain experts, the training covered vital areas including disaster management protocols, emergency communication, first aid, and coordination with civic authorities. The programme was delivered through a blend of classroom sessions, interactive modules, and simulation-based learning, providing volunteers with a realistic and practical knowledge base. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said, "This initiative reflects the administration's enduring vision of a city that is not only governed efficiently but also empowered from within. In an era marked by evolving risks—climatic, urban, and social—it is imperative that governance embraces community resilience as its core. Through this programme, we are nurturing a new cadre of citizen-leaders—volunteers who are trained, tested, and ready to stand at the frontline in times of need. They represent the best of Chandigarh's spirit: responsive, responsible, and resilient. Going forward, we aim to expand this model to every corner of the city, ensuring no neighbourhood is left unprepared." MSID:: 122784136 413 |
Time of India
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Speed limit ‘slip-ups' send UT traffic police back to survey mode
Chandigarh: A day after the TOI highlighted glaring mismatches in speed limits signages, as pointed out by Google Maps and Lepton Software during a review of the Speed Limit Mapping Project (SLMP), the Chandigarh traffic police, along with the engineering wing, have decided to conduct a survey to verify the discrepancies. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The SSP traffic claimed that the speed signages were updated in 2022. The engineering wing of the traffic police will verify the claims made in the SLMP report. A review was conducted regarding the Speed Limit Mapping project by Lepton Software in partnership with Google Maps, aimed at displaying accurate official speed limits across Chandigarh roads on digital navigation platforms. During the data verification exercise, it was observed that several discrepancies exist between the officially notified speed limits and the speed signages currently displayed on various roads. The verification process revealed that among 1,131 road links, 637 locations showed differences between actual signboards and official records. Moreover, 178 stretches lacked speed signage, whilst 175 locations had no specific two-wheelers speed boards. According to the revised regulations, SSP (traffic and security) Sumer Partap Singh said the engineering wing and traffic police will verify the report by conducting a detailed survey in the city to find out the mismatched speed limit signboards in the coming days. The SSP also talked to the officials who submitted the report and said the survey conducted by Lepton Software in partnership with Google Maps needs to be thoroughly verified. It was found that they divided one stretch, like Vikas Marg, into four patches and showed incorrect speed limits mentioned on the roads. The SSP (traffic) also claimed that the signboards displaying speed limits on city roads were updated in 2021-22. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The report regarding discrepancies in speed limits signages on city roads was presented during the meeting of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) on Tuesday. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Nishant Kumar Yadav, DC, Chandigarh. The DC also instructed all relevant departments to address these discrepancies. Yadav stressed the importance of accurate speed limit displays for both public safety and enforcement purposes, requesting swift corrections to align physical signboards with official regulations.
