Six shops at 2 underpasses to be rented out to firms

LUDHIANA: Two pedestrian underpasses at Aggar Nagar and near the Mini Secretariat on Ferozepur Road, which have been lying unused for the past many years, are likely to be put to use as the MC has decided to rent out three shops at each underpass to private firms engaged in the construction of an elevated road here.

Pedestrians avoid underpass at the Mini-Secretariat for safety reasons. Photo: Ashwani Dhiman

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 19

Two pedestrian underpasses at Aggar Nagar and near the Mini Secretariat on Ferozepur Road, which have been lying unused for the past many years, are likely to be put to use as the MC has decided to rent out three shops at each underpass to private firms engaged in the construction of an elevated road here.

These underpasses are generally not being used due to safety reasons as well as insanitary conditions. The shops constructed at both these underpasses were never rented by anyone.

In order to make these underpasses safe, three shops at each underpass would be given rented out to the firms engaged in construction of the elevated road from Samrala Chowk to the Ferozepur Road octroi.

Joint Commissioner of MC Kulpreet Singh said the MC would charge Rs 8,000 rent per shop per month. “A total of six shops are to be rented out at these two underpasses. Once the offices are opened in shops, pedestrians will start using them,” he added.

According to sources, the MC is also planning to open an office dealing in birth and death certificates at one of the underpasses. A final decision in this regard would be taken by the higher authorities.

The much awaited pedestrian underpass, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3.5 crore at Aggar Nagar, was inaugurated in November 2014. A total of 13 shops have been constructed at this underpass. As the underpass was in a pitiable condition, a 65-year-old woman of Aggar Nagar got it cleaned and repaired on her own last year. The pedestrian underpass near the Mini Secretariat is generally avoided by people as they feel “it is unsafe”. It was inaugurated in 2010. The MC has failed to auction nine shops at this underpass too.

A member of State Road Safety Council, Rahul Verma, said: “It is a good move of the district administration that shops are being rented out. I hope guards will be deployed and pedestrians will start using these underpasses. It is better to utilise the vacant government buildings. The other shops at the underpasses should also be given on lease.”