Chandigarh’s last slum razed, UT focus now on ‘illegal’ Dhanas marble market

After clearing the city’s last slum at Shahpur Colony, the UT Administration has now shifted its focus to the large-scale encroachments at the Dhanas marble market.

Spread across nearly 200 acres, the Dhanas site has been occupied by marble traders for the past 25 years. The land, originally agricultural and belonging to farmers, was earmarked for acquisition by the Administration.

It has already started the process to shift the market to the upcoming bulk material market in Sector 56. For the upcoming facility, the Administration has already sought environmental clearance from the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change. It would take nearly two months to obtain the clearance from the ministry, stated the officials.

After getting the clearance, bids would be invited for the allotment of sites in the new bulk market. Traders from other businesses would also be eligible to take part in the bidding process.

Earlier, the UT Engineering Department had planned to make the market ready for auction by May, but the work was delayed in the absence of green nod. The environmental clearance is mandatory as the built-up area in the new market is more than 20,000 sq m.

The bulk material market is being developed on 44 acres at a cost of Rs 20 crore. The authorities will auction 191 plots measuring 1 kanal each and 48 booth sites on a leasehold basis. The reserve price will be fixed on the basis of the current collector rates. A basement and three floors will be allowed on the one-kanal sites.

Initially, the Administration had planned to shift only marble traders from Dhanas to the new market. Now, traders displaced from the recently demolished furniture market can also take part in an open auction for allotment of plots.

During a survey carried out between 2016 and 2018, a total of 188 marble shops were found to be running from Dhanas. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has already declared these temporary shops illegal and ordered their removal.