Environmental clearance awaited, shifting of Chandigarh’s furniture & marble markets delayed

Chandigarh: The much-delayed shifting of the furniture and marble markets to the new bulk market in Sector 56 may face more delays. The administration needs to obtain environmental clearance for this project, which also requires approval from the central govt.
Nishant Kumar Yadav, deputy commissioner and estate officer, said the total area of the project may require environmental clearance. Obtaining this clearance will necessitate holding a public hearing as well. The estate office has approached the UT environment department, asking it to examine the project and start the process of obtaining environmental clearance at the earliest.
"As per the rules related to the environment, this clearance is necessary for projects where the built-up area will be 20,000 square meters or more. For this, work on the project cannot start without approval as per the guidelines of the environment impact assessment (EIA) on the instructions of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. Therefore, it is necessary for the administration to obtain this approval for the market," said an official.
In this bulk market to be built in Sector 56, Dhanas marble market and furniture market businesses are to be rehabilitated. The estate office plans to auction booths and other properties in this market. There are 200 plots of one kanal and 55 booths in the market.
The market has been in the works for several years now. Last year, the administration finalised the plan to develop the market in Sector 56. The market will offer an opportunity for operators from the marble and furniture markets to purchase plots or booths in the bulk market. Consequently, these illegal markets will be shifted to the new market. The administration planned to demolish both markets after the start of the bulk market.