After a rap by the Punjab and Haryana High court over unhygienic conditions at the Sector-26 mandi market, a meeting was held Tuesday under Chandigarh Administration’s Agriculture Secretary to review the developmental and infrastructural works in the area. The agenda of the meeting focused on reviewing the status of construction of cement concrete roads, installation of LED lights, high-mast CCTV cameras, public health-related works and further improvement in sanitation and encroachment removal work in the mandi. Paviter Singh, Administrator, Market Committee Chandigarh, briefed Pardeep Kumar, Secretary, Agriculture, Chandigarh Administration, about the condition of sanitation work, removal of unauthorised vendors, and other steps that are being taken for decongesting and betterment of the Sector-26 market. The official also apprised the Agriculture Secretary about the several measures that are being taken for decongesting and betterment of the mandi market, which included strengthening of the enforcement wing for the removal of encroachment and unauthorised vendors, and installation of barriers and barricades at entry and exit gates for better management of vehicles. The officials of the Engineering Department briefed about the restoration, repair and upgradation of internal roads and parking and their department, for which they are taking consultancy from NITTTR and awaiting for a report from the organisation. Further, they informed that the estimate and DNIT for lighting have already been approved, and the tender is in process. The officials also said the estimates for high-mast CCTV cameras will be submitted soon. During the meeting, the Agriculture Secretary directed the officials of the Engineering Department to share clear timelines for the completion of the aforementioned works, ensure proper coordination with the contractor after the allotment of work, and maintain high standards of quality and timely execution of the developmental works. Directions were also given to the police to depute some more personnel in the Sector-26 area to regulate vehicle movement and ensure the smooth flow of traffic during the ongoing festival season, when heavy movement of vehicles and visitors is expected. Strict directions were given to the Market Committee officials to carry out enforcement drives as per ongoing practice on a regular basis and to take all necessary measures to improve the sanitation conditions of the mandi. The representative of the Grain Market Welfare Association, Sector 26, Chandigarh, informed the secretary that during the daytime, all vendors have been removed and the sanitation conditions of the mandi have improved. He further said that due to the encroachment removal drive undertaken by the Market Committee, it has now become possible to decorate the entry/exit of Sector 26 Mandi with tents for the ongoing festival season. Subsequent to the meeting, all concerned officers conducted an extensive round of the Sector-26 mandi. Cleanliness in the area has been enhanced, unauthorised vendors and encroachments have been removed, and all internal roads are now clear, the officers claimed.
