Uncertain times: Initiatives for Chandigarh rest in cold storage

After the controversial mega projects went down the drain,no new mega venture is being planned for the city.

Also,major proposals like an industrial policy for the city remain on paper — industrialists have been demanding such a policy for over a decade now.

Draft of the industrial policy was approved in July 2009,but the Administration’s top brass has been keeping mum on the issue. The policy seems to be stuck between two wings of the Administration — industries and finance.

Initially,the policy was to be launched in August 2009. This was welcomed by industrialists,who had thanked the Administration. But after the Finance department objected to its implementation,the policy failed to materialise.

Industrialists requested General S F Rodrigues (Retd) to step in. He assured them that the policy would be launched within a fortnight,but nothing happened.

Through the policy,the Administration had claimed to change the face of Chandigarh’s industry by including industries like information technology,biotech,telecom,retailing,health care,entertainment and vocational institutions.

According to the policy draft,the Industrial Area was to be called Chandigarh Industrial Business Park. The draft was prepared by the Industries department.

The Administration had also tried to push an industrial policy entirely different from the draft prepared by the Industries department.

After the policy failed to take off,industrialists slammed the Administration in September and called the industrial policy nothing but “a waste paper”.

Other issues like the extra-ground coverage rates and the change of façade for shop-cum-flats (SCF) on V3 roads are also in limbo.

Earlier,the Administration had announced relaxation in ground coverage in marla houses,but the rates haven’t been notified.

“The rates are yet to be notified. But we are accepting applications by taking affidavits from applicants,according to which they will pay the notified rates,whenever they are announced,” an official in the Estate Office said.

Also,the Administration gave relaxation to SCF owners to change their façade by replacing the ago-old brick-mesh with glass panels. But a condition was put: that a single applicant will now be allowed to do so,unless the entire lane goes for the change.

The announcement has not evoked any substantial response so far; the brick-mesh still exists.

Decisions lack uniformity
Advertisements
First,the Administration allowed advertisements on AC cabs. Then the same Administration rejected a proposal to have advertisements on non-AC cabs,delaying the launch of non-AC cabs. Advertisements are allowed on the newly launched AC buses and public toilets.

Lights on Jan Marg trees
A novel concept introduced by former director (Tourism) Vivek Atray. The Administration had decided to light the trees along Jan Marg — work had begun from the Sector 9-10 dividing road. But like other projects,it failed. Later,the same concept was implemented in Sector 17,giving a festive look to the entire plaza area.

Lights on roundabouts
There was a proposal to install green and purple fancy lights on the roundabouts. At present,only a few roundabouts have these lights (only green),which are a distraction for motorists.