Chandigarh: Chief Secretary reviews civic infra at Sector 26 mandi

Expressing concern over the prevailing sanitation conditions at the Grain, Fruit and Vegetable Market, Sector 26, UT Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma directed the sanitation contractor to augment both manpower and equipment. Verma today chaired a high-level meeting to comprehensively review key civic and infrastructural issues such as sanitation, encroachments, road infrastructure, drainage, street lighting, and traffic regulation at the mandi.

Encroachments by unauthorised vendors were discussed extensively in the meeting. The Chief Secretary instructed the market committee to expedite the process of acquiring enforcement powers.

Simultaneously, the Municipal Corporation (MC) and Chandigarh Police were directed to deploy dedicated personnel for regular removal of illegal vendors, with strict instructions to prevent their entry into the Mandi. The MC was also tasked with establishing an effective and sustainable mechanism for slush disposal.

On the matter of road repairs, the Chief Secretary approved the use of cement concrete for improved durability, replacing the earlier plan for interlocking pavers. The Engineering Department was directed to float tenders at the earliest.

For drainage improvement, officials were instructed to implement a modern and efficient system tailored to the needs of the Mandi. Installation of surveillance cameras was also mandated to deter illegal dumping.

Responsibility for the maintenance and operation of all street lighting within the Mandi was assigned to the Municipal Corporation.

Addressing traffic congestion, the Chandigarh Police was directed to ensure adequate deployment of traffic personnel to regulate vehicle movement and penalise illegal parking.

The Chief Secretary stressed the need for coordinated action among all departments and emphasised time-bound resolution of issues to ensure a cleaner, safer, and better-managed marketplace.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Mandip Singh Brar, Home Secretary; Diprava Lakra, Finance Secretary; Amit Kumar, Commissioner, MC; Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner; Pardeep Kumar, Secretary Agriculture; Sumer Partap Singh, SSP (Traffic); Kanwardeep Kaur, SSP (Law & Order); Hari Kalikkat, Secretary, Marketing Board; CB Ojha, Chief Engineer; Pavitter Singh Administrator Market Committee and other officials from the Market Committee.