Facing stiff competition from lavish malls that have come up in Industrial Area here, UT traders have demanded revamping of Sector 17-the commercial complex of City Beautiful.
From early opening of under-construction overbridge to construction of multi-level parkings and beautification projects, the traders have decided to put forth their demands before Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh.
While a number of shopping malls have come up in Industrial area here, more such malls are under construction, growing apprehensions among traders in the Sector 17 that the commercial activity in Industrial area may affect their business.
Facing day to day troubles, the UT traders on Tuesday also demanded early operationalisation of under construction over bridge in Sector 17. The construction of overbridge started over a year back and the overbridge is now nearing completion.
The overbridge at Sector 17 is part of the concept of making the plaza vehicle free. The construction of overbridge was conceptualised by city’s creator French Architect le Corbusier and it is expected that the traffic congestion on the stretch will be eased once the overbridge is made operational.
The traders association met on Tuesday to discuss the overall development/problems of Sector 17 arising due to construction of overbridge, multistoried parking in front of Gurdev Parking and shops under bridge.
The traders association said that the traders were facing problems due to inconvenience and construction activities since 18 months and their business was also suffering. As the overbridge was nearing completion, it should be made operational for general public at the earliest, demanded the traders.
As per MCC officials, the overbridge would be made functional within two months.
The overbridge was built as a two-lane dual carriageway with a width of 22 feet on either sides and a central median. The overbridge will also have a footpath for pedestrians.
As per MCC plans, under the bridge’s deck, there is a provision for about 40 booths. And, the MCC has decided to start first round-the-clock food street in the city. The food street will come up below the under-construction overbridge, which will connect Anand Theatre with KC Theatre in Sector 17.
With traders in commercial hub-Sector 17 facing tough competition with shopping malls in the union territory of Chandigarh, the local authorities also have a tricky job to facelift Sector 17 to ensure best shopping experience for the visitors there.
The traders association has also requested the UT Administration to start the construction of multi level parking soon. The MCC has planned to construct multi-storey parking near Gurdev Studio. The parking opposite Gurudev Studio will have three basement floors for four wheelers and a surface level for two wheelers.
“The MCC has got the clearance from Centre for construction of multistoried parking near Gurdev which, we request, should be started fast to decongest the parking in the area,” demanded the traders.
The traders also said that there is need to develop the area of Sector 17 A and B by constructing Plaza, fountain, creation of Park with sitting provision, to attract the tourists for better business activities in this neglected area.
The UT traders association has decided to meet Mayor and Municipal Commissioner to discuss all the issues relating to welfare of the area and traders, said Traders Association president Kamaljit Singh Panchhi.
UT’s proposal for facelift
The UT Administration’s “futuristic” plan to facelift Sector 17 includes construction of four-multi level parkings, two subways and landscaping in the entire Sector to make it a pedestrian friendly place to ensure best shopping experience.
With escalating vehicular population and an immediate need to address the parking woes in the City Centre, the UT has proposed four multi-level parkings in the peripheral area of the sector and not in the central areas to ensure smooth flow of the traffic.
While the MCC has initiated work for one multilevel parking that would come up opposite Gurudev Studio, the drawings or designs for other three multi-level parkings are yet to be finalized.
Two subways have been proposed including one subway from Sector 9 Madhya Marg to enter Sector 17 near CITCO office building and other subway near Neelam Theatre to connect it with the area near Football stadium.
A survey by RITES had indicated parking requirement for 3300 more vehicles in the city. The survey had revealed that only 6658 Equivalent Car Space (ECS) is available in the city while the demand during peak hours is 10074 ECS. For this, five multi-level parking facilities (of 1,500 ECS each) were proposed as part of the Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS). Out of the five multi-level parkings, two were proposed in Sector 17.