Chandigarh: Sabzi mandi to return to Sector 26 this week

CHANDIGARH: The vegetable and fruit market will be shifted back from the bus stand in Sector 17 to its original site in Sector 26 in the coming week, ending the month-long stopgap arrangement that was made following a spurt in Covid-19 cases in neighbouring Bapu Dham Colony, Sector 26.
The transport department of the UT administration had requested to vacate the ISBT to resume Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) bus service for the Tricity. Around a week back, the department had written to the Chandigarh Market Committee and the municipal corporation to shift the temporary market as soon as possible as they needed to start the operation of local bus service from Sector 17.
Earlier, the UT was considering to shift the market to Sector 39-based grain market instead of returning to Sector 26. But lack of basic facilities and related infrastructure forced the administration to change its plans.
“The Sector 39 market is short on infrastructure. It is not possible at this point to shift the vegetable and fruit market there. Moreover, wholesale suppliers have also raised their concerns owing to lack of facilities,” a senior UT official said.
Sources in the administration said the final decision will be taken in a couple of days, although the UT has agreed to the request of the transport department. Repair work in Sector 26 mandi which was started a few days back is going to be completed soon.
“As CCTV cameras have already been installed at the Sector 26 mandi, entry will be allowed from one side and that too only for vendors and wholesale suppliers,” said an official.