Five more sectors added to UT map

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 3

More than two lakh residents of Mani Majra have got the New Year gift from the Chandigarh Administration as VP Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab and the UT Administrator, has approved the proposal for renaming the area as Sector 13.

Besides, Badnore also approved renaming of other areas in the city. Now, the Sarangpur institutional area will be called Sector 12 (West), Dhanas and Milk Colony will be renamed Sector 14 (West ), Maloya and Dadu Majra Sector 39 (West), pocket No. 8 below Vikas Marg as Sector 56 (West), and Industrial Area Phase 1, 2 and 3 as the Business and Industrial Park Phase 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

The UT Administration had invited objections from the general public through a notice published on December 2, 2019, for renaming the areas. Majority of suggestions came in favour of renaming Mani Majra as Sector 13

When legendary architect Le Corbusier designed Chandigarh as India’s first planned city more than 50 years ago and divided it into 60 sectors he refused to have “Sector 13”. It is believed that this was largely because of the superstition that Europeans had around the number. The city has lived with this omission for half a century. Even Panchkula followed the tradition and decided not to have Sector 13. Instead, Panchkula has Sector 12 and 12-A not Sector 13.

However, Col Gursewak Singh, president, Residents Welfare Association, Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra, strongly raised the demand for renaming Mani Majra as Sector 13. Later, the subcommittee of the Administrator’s Advisory Council also approved the proposal of the Chandigarh Administration to rename left out areas of the city. Chander Verma, an industrialist, hailed the move for renaming the industrial area.

Ut administrator gives go-ahead

Mani Majra will become Sector 13 as Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore has given approval to the proposal. Dhanas and Milk Colony will be renamed Sector 14 (West).

The superstition

When legendary architect Le Corbusier designed Chandigarh as India’s first planned city more than 50 years ago and divided it into 60 sectors he refused to have Sector 13. It is believed that this was largely because of the superstition that Europeans had around the number. The City Beautiful has lived with this omission for half a century.

Changes approved after inviting suggestions

Area                                                             New names

Sarangpur institutional area                         Sector 12 (West)

Mani Majra                                                   Sector 13

Dhanas and Milk Colony                              Sector 14 (West)

Maloya and Dadu Majra                               Sector 39 (West)

Pocket No. 8 below Vikas Marg                   Sector 56 (West)

Industrial Area Phase 1, 2 and 3                 Business and Industrial Park, Phase 1, 2 and 3