The Exhibition Centre, to be implemented by the Chandigarh Housing Board, would provide indoor and outdoor exhibition area of over 17,000 square metres, an auditorium, a cafeteria and restaurant, conference hall and other facilities, including a bank, post office and eight offices of seven user states and the UT. The Centre would be the first-of-its-kind in the region and would help bring Chandigarh on the map of international exhibitions.

The foundation stone laying, however, affected a large number of people, as the Administration had blocked all roads leading to the site fearing trouble following threats by the temple authorities of pulling down the wall surrounding the complex.

This led to a major chaos on roads surrounding the site for the second day, which put commuters to great inconvenience. Vehicular traffic was diverted on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway. The roads, particularly within the Industrial Area, also witnessed traffic jams, as many roads around the site were closed. Meanwhile, a large number devotees at the temple gathered since morning and raised slogans as soon as the function started. They were later pacified after their memorandum was received.

The temple authorities also accused the Administration of stopping devotees from entering the temple. The police was deployed in full strength at the site throughout the day.

Meanwhile, speaking at the foundation stone laying function, the Administrator said Chandigarh has emerged as a major regional centre and the setting up of the centre would play an important role in promoting the City's trade and commerce. Responding to the industry's request, he said the Centre would be run in a professional manner, with a proper organisational set-up in consultation with professionals and industry representatives. He hoped the next Agro Tech could be held here.

In his address, Adviser to Administrator Jagdish Sagar said the exhibition centre was one of the three major projects being undertaken by the Administration. Local MP Satya Pal Jain hoped the Administration would generate revenue through this centre.

CHB chairperson Meenak-shi Dutta Ghosh said though this project was conceived in 1995, it could not take off when it was entrusted to the Industries Department, CII and CITCO, for not being economically viable. Local CII chairman I.S. Paul said the Centre would be the second one in India after Delhi's Pragati Maidan. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ashok Khanna also spoke.