Chandigarh: Soon, Sarangpur to host big events

Taking note of the inconvenience faced by local residents and commuters during big musical concerts last year, the UT Tourism Department has planned to set up a convention-cum-exhibition centre on over 25 acres at Sarangpur for such events. The proposed site has ample space for parking and is also away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Administration has come up with two proposals. Under the first proposal, nearly 12 acres would be earmarked for the concert and backstage to accommodate about 35,000 people at a time. The concert area will have space for 3,068 people in fan pit, 3,321 in VIP lounge, 5,148 having platinum ticket, 6,826 with gold ticket and 15,326 carrying silver ticket. A multi-level or basement parking facility on 8.7 acres where 6,250 cars can be accommodated has also been proposed. There will be a separate provision for VIP parking.

Under the other proposal, the department plans to set up the concert area and backstage on 11.4 acres for nearly 25,000 people. There will be space for 2,912 people in the fan pit, 930 in VIP lounge, 15,755 platinum ticket holders, 1,931 with gold ticket and 3,154 carrying silver tickets. The parking space will be similar to the one under the first proposal.

According to officials, the design of the proposed centre has been sent to the Urban Planning Department for approval. Once approved, a DPR of the project would be prepared and tender would be floated for construction of the centre, they added.

After Punjabi singers Karan Aujla and Diljit Dosanjh’s shows at the Exhibition Ground in Sector 34 on December 7 and 14 last year, respectively, local traders and residents had complained of traffic chaos, noise pollution and loss of business. Keeping in view the inconvenience caused to residents by such shows, the UT Administration had decided not to hold huge gatherings in Sector 34 in future and decided to shift the venue for such shows to Sector 25. People also faced inconvenience during a show of Punjabi singer AP Dhillon at the Sector 25 rally ground on December 21.

During Aujla’s live concert, local residents and businessmen had a tough time with a huge turnout choking the roads around the venue. There are four private hospitals and one medical college and hospital in the vicinity of Sector 34. Residents of the nearby sectors complained that they were virtually detained in their homes during the concert as they couldn’t move out due to traffic restrictions.