Warehouse bonanza for violators

At present,the Administration is in the process of finalising the architectural design of the warehouses,which will be duly allotted to the violators,said sources. There are,however,a few hiccups. The UT Estate Office,according to sources,has intimated the Chandigarh Administration that they do not have the technical manpower to launch a largescale warehouse concept in the city and recommended the appointment of a consultant.

The sources added that the Administration would soon float tenders for the project and the consultant,once appointed,would guide officials on the architectural and financial modalities on the construction of a large-scale warehouse project in the city.

“The master plan had envisioned the development of the city’s periphery into green belts,which these encroachers have taken over. The Administration’s attitude of rehabilitating all such violators by using government machinery,spending crores of rupees and time shall definitely encourage others to encroach upon public land,” said a senior UT official.

On the periphery
Warehouses are a common sight in all villages (around 18) in Chandigarh’s periphery,including Hallomajra,Khuda Jassu,Khuda Lahora,Makhan Majra,Mauli Jagran and Maloya. The maximum concentration of godowns is around Daria and Makhan Majra villages owing to their proximity to the railway station. Manufacturers,importers,exporters and wholesalers use the warehouses for storing all sorts of goods,including cement,tiles,electronics,crockery,tent house equipment,eatables,cassettes,medicines,liquor and food grain. A demolition drive in Daria and Makhan Majra,carried out in March,fizzled out as encroachers created a furore claiming that the single village added around Rs 1.65 crore to the Administration’s exchequer every month as tax.