Admn mulls shifting Transport Area

In a move that seems to be headed towards controversy, the Chandigarh Administration is contemplating a shift in the location of Transport Area...

In a move that seems to be headed towards controversy, the Chandigarh Administration is contemplating a shift in the location of Transport Area 8212; from Sector 26 to Daria village. According to Administration officials, the existing Transport Area will be used as a metro node in the proposed Mass Rapid Transit System MRTS project.

Even as the Administration fights the wrath of the farmers whose land is being acquired for expansion of the Information Technology Park, the authorities have started work to acquire land in Daria village.

Around 105 acres of land have already been earmarked in Daria for two projects 8212; the controversial warehousing project will cover 60 acres while 45 acres have been recommended to be used as the alternative Transport Area. Senior Administration officials have proposed the acquisition of the land opposite the Chandigarh Railway Station as well.

In a recent meeting of the Chandigarh Administration, Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar proposed the site in Daria village for shifting Transport Area, citing geographical advantages.

The minutes of the meeting in possession of Newsline mention various reasons for shifting the Transport Area including: 8220;it would be on route number 2, which would provide direct connectivity to the Chandigarh-Ambala road on one side and Madhya Marg on the other. Trucks coming from Ambala or Shimla will not need to enter the city then.8221;

8220;Secondly, the site is also in close proximity to the railway station and would facilitate transportation of goods. The area can ultimately be a hub of activities like warehousing, storage, and transport, which are interlinked.8221;

Justifying the concept, Administration officials stated that: 8220;At the time of the inception of Chandigarh, Transport Area was planned at one end of the city. But with Manimajra and Panchkula townships coming up, the area is now in the midst of the urban landscape. The area today presents a shabby look due to the haphazard parking of trucks. Although the Municipal Corporation has developed another site for parking trucks in close vicinity of the existing Goods Carrier market but it has proved insufficient to meet the ever-growing demand.8221;

Story continues below this ad

UT Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar said: 8220;The existing Transport Area has become too cramped with not much possibility of further expansion. The transporters need to be given better facilities for which we have proposed shifting them to Daria village. As such, the shift would benefit the transporters because they will be nearer to Industrial Area and the railway station.8221;

The Transport Association, on the other hand, has already moved a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court demanding a Transport Nagar. The association8217;s grievance is that the Administration has taken due care of all the other sectors like the Information Technology Park, Modern Terminal Market and the warehousing project but nothing has been done for the expansion of Transport Area.