Call to shift FCI, Markfed godowns from city's centre

Members of the Royal Club, representing residents of Ram Nagar and Gandhi Nagar, have urged the district administration and Municipal Corporation to take action and relocate Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Markfed godowns from the centre of the city to the outskirts.

In a letter addressed to Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal and Mayor Vineet Dhir, club general secretary Suraj Birdi, have highlighted serious concerns regarding traffic congestion, frequent jams and the risk of accidents due to the movement of heavy trucks in residential and market areas.

According to Birdi, unplanned urban expansion has made the presence of these godowns in densely populated areas unsustainable. “The movement of heavy trucks through Gandhi Nagar and Gurdev Nagar has led to constant traffic chaos. The situation is not only inconvenient but also dangerous for commuters, schoolchildren and local residents,” he said.

The letter stresses that despite restrictions, trucks transporting goods to and from these godowns continue to operate within the city, even during prohibited hours. Many of these vehicles can be seen parked along roadsides, further adding to congestion and making navigation difficult for other motorists.

Members of the club further point out that this unrestricted movement not only disrupts the traffic flow, but also increases the risk of accidents in already overcrowded areas.

The residents have urged the district administration to take up the matter with the General Manager of the FCI and the Managing Director of Markfed in Chandigarh for swift relocation. “Shifting these godowns outside the city will not affect their operations but will significantly improve the traffic flow and safety,” they added.

"We have raised this issue many times in the past and are now awaiting action from the authorities, hoping for a timely resolution to what we see as an urgent and long-standing issue", they said, adding that the demand was not only about convenience, but also about ensuring safer roads and a better quality of life for city’s citizens.