Amit Shah assures resolution of Chandigarh demands, launches Rs 258 cr projects

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in Chandigarh on Sunday that three out of the city's four long-pending demands will be resolved as a Diwali gift. Addressing a gathering at Tricolour Park in Sector 17, he stated that a formal announcement in this regard will be made by UT Administrator and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria in the coming days.

Shah stated that Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria had studied issues dating back 30 to 40 years and submitted proposals to the central government. He said these decisions will provide relief to city residents from long-pending problems and steps are being taken to make Chandigarh the country's leading administrative unit.

The demands sent by the Chandigarh administration to the Centre include granting permanent ownership rights to original allottees of rehabilitation colonies, converting leasehold commercial and industrial properties into freehold, increasing the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in the industrial area by amending the master plan, and extending the mayor's tenure from one year to two-and-a-half years.

The Home Minister also launched a development package of Rs 258 crore for the city. Of these, two completed projects costing Rs 80 crore were inaugurated, which include the Rs 12 crore Government High School in Sarangpur and the Rs 68 crore CTU bus depot in Raipur Kalan. In addition, foundation stones were laid for seven new projects costing Rs 178 crore.

The works whose foundation stones were laid include 192 police houses in Dhanas, a pedestrian subway connecting Punjab University to the hospital, a new police station in Sector 49, an engineering college hostel, a gymnasium hall in Sector 46, a sports complex in Sector 7, and 15 new checkpoints on the city's borders. During the event, Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria said that only electric buses will be operated in Chandigarh by the end of March next year.

Earlier, the Home Minister inspected a parade on the 60th-anniversary celebration of Chandigarh Police at the Police Lines in Sector 26 and presented the 'President's Police Colours' to the force. He flagged off 141 new vehicles for the police fleet and also announced the provision of 2,152 new AI surveillance cameras to strengthen the city's security.

Key developments

• Amit Shah assures resolution of 3 out of 4 pending demands of Chandigarh on Diwali
• UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria to make formal announcement within a week
• Inaugurated and laid foundation stones for nine development projects worth Rs 258 crore in the city
• Administrator promises to run only electric buses in Chandigarh by March
• Chandigarh Police awarded 'President's Colours' and announcement of 2,152 new AI cameras for the city