Problems galore in Sector 19

Ramkrishan Upadhyay 

Tribune news service 

Chandigarh, October 14

One of the most vibrant areas of the city - Sector 19 market -has been facing a lot of problems due to the apathy of the UT Administration and the Municipal Corporation. 

There are four major markets in Sector 19 - one in 19-C, one in 19-D, Palika Bazaar and Sadar Bazaar - catering to the needs of residents.

People from across the city and the nearby towns visit Sadar Bazaar and Palika Bazaar for buying clothes and other items. 

Arvinder Singh Bedi, president, Market Welfare Association, Sector 19-C, said: "the market has now developed into a mini 'rehri' market where no more place is left for the visitors to move freely." He said the recent decision of the Municipal Corporation to allow the vendors in front of shops would further aggravate the problem. 

Bhupinder Kumar Jain, another trader, says the vendors have encroached upon the area so much that it is difficult for the customers to even use the toilets. "Garbage and filth are other issues, besides parking problems, in Sector 19-C," he said. 

Sector 19-D is facing similar problems. Ashok Sachdeva, a trader from 19-D, said: "There is only one toilet in the market which is in a bad condition. Earlier the market association was maintaining the toilet, but after the association failed to get the financial help, it was handed over to the MC. The association is yet to get the entire amount." 

Tajinder Singh, president of the market association of Sector 19-D, said allowing vendors in front of shops would further increase the parking problem. 

NS Rinku, a trader of the Sadar Bazaar, said the vendors have occupied the entire parking area and left a little space for movement. While the vendors have occupied the parking area meant for the market, the authorities concerned, including the MC and the traffic police, have turned a blind eye to problem. The parking area meant for cars and two-wheelers is being used by vendors illegally. 

Another trader said if, god forbid, a fire incident occurs in the area, it might cause huge damage to life and property as there was a little space left for the movement of the fire tenders. He said there were no dustbins in the market, thus garbage is usually thrown on roads and in market corridors, creating the problem of cleanliness in the market area. 

Vehicles parked on pedestrian paths, road berms clamped 

Chandigarh: The UT traffic police challaned vehicles parked on pedestrian path on the road dividing Sector 19 and 27 here on Sunday. The traffic police have recently decided that the vehicles parked on the road berms, pedestrian paths and pavements will be challaned. The police said parking vehicles on road berm, pavement or pedestrian path, cycle tracks was a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. It may be noted that a large number of vehicles are found parked on pedestrian paths and pavements across the city. Four-wheelers parked on pedestrian paths were clamped, while challans were issued to two-wheelers. The challans for wrong parking to violators were also issued in other parts of the city. The traffic police have already initiated a campaign against those who drive vehicles on cycle tracks, under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act. 

Under this Act, the driver is arrested and could be released on bail.