Rush to grab ‘attractive deals’ ahead of furniture market demolition
A day before the demolition drive of the UT Administration at the furniture market in Sector 53 and 54, the place today witnessed a huge rush of customers hoping to get household goods at big discounts. The Administration will begin the demolition of the illegal market at 7 am tomorrow.
Anita Devi, a resident of Panchkula, who reached the market hoping that she would get furniture at throwaway prices, said the discounts offered by the shopkeepers were marginal.
Expressing similar sentiments, Maninder Singh, a resident of Sector 15, Chandigarh, said he came to buy a sofa set, but the prices quoted by the shopkeepers were slightly lower than the rates offered on normal days.
A shopkeeper said why they should sell their products at loss. He would shift the furniture to his godown and sell it later. Many traders have shops in other markets in the tricity.
Rajeev Bhandari, brother of Furniture Market Association president Sanjeev Bhandari, said the shopkeepers were forced to dispose of their stocks at extremely low prices. They approached the Administration, but could not save the 40-year-old market, he said.
In the absence of dedicated parking, the road dividing the market in Sector 53 and 54 witnessed traffic chaos amid the huge rush of customers.
As the residents were on a buying spree, the transporters also hiked freight charges. Amandeep Singh said to shift a set of dining table to his residence in Sector 47, transporters were asking from Rs 700 to Rs 1,500. It took him more than half an hour to hire one for a reasonable rate.
To maintain law and order, the UT Administration had decided to deploy nearly 1,000 police personnel during the demolition drive to be carried out on Sunday. During the drive, the concerned departments will provide full logistical support to ensure the smooth execution of the drive. Comprehensive arrangements have been made for safety, traffic regulation, fire preparedness, medical assistance and post-demolition clearance.
The Police Department has been tasked with preparing a detailed deployment strategy, ensuring the presence of both male and female personnel, and mobilizing quick response teams (QRTs).
The Fire Department has been instructed to remain on standby with the requisite equipment, while the Health Department will ensure the availability of emergency medical services. The Engineering Department will oversee the technical execution of the demolition, and the Municipal Corporation will be responsible for the prompt removal of debris and waste.
The land, on which the shopkeepers were running their business, was acquired in 2002. A total 227.22 acres (114.43 acres of Kajheri village, 69.79 acres of Badheri village and 43 acres of Palsora village) was acquired for development of third phase of Sectors 53, 54 and 55. The original landowners were awarded compensation as well as the enhanced compensation. Nearly 15 acres of the land has been encroached upon by the shopkeepers in the market.
On June 22, 2024, the Land Acquisition Department had issued a notice to the furniture market, directing the shopkeepers to demolish their shops on their own and vacate the government land.
As many as 29 shops in the illegal furniture market were demolished on June 30. As many as 116 shops will be demolished tomorrow.
Chandigarh