Amit Shah promises relief on Chandigarh’s three major demands

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured Chandigarh residents that three long-pending issues concerning the city will be resolved soon, with Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria expected to make formal announcements after Diwali.

Addressing a public gathering at Tiranga Park in Sector 17 on Sunday, Shah said some of the issues had remained unresolved for 30 to 40 years. He said Kataria would announce the decisions, crediting the administrator for consistently pursuing the matters with the Centre.

The three key issues expected to be addressed include ownership rights for eligible residents of rehabilitation colonies, conversion of leasehold commercial and industrial properties into freehold, and an increase in the floor area ratio (FAR) in industrial areas.

Shah also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for nine development projects worth approximately Rs 258 crore. These comprise two completed projects worth Rs 80 crore and seven upcoming projects estimated at Rs 178 crore.
The completed projects include a Government High School building at Sarangpur, constructed at Rs 12 crore, and a Chandigarh Transport Undertaking depot-cum-workshop at Raipur Kalan, developed at Rs 68 crore.

The seven upcoming projects include 192 Type-III residential quarters for police personnel at Dhanas, a pedestrian subway connecting Panjab University and PGIMER, a new police station in Sector 49 and a boys’ hostel at Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology in Sector 26.

The remaining projects include a gymnasium hall at Post Graduate Government College in Sector 46, upgradation of the Sector 7 Sports Complex and construction of 15 permanent security checkpoints at the city’s entry points.