SAS Nagar, January 20
The Sports complex built on approximately 25 acres of land in Phase IX is to be shifted and an alternative site found it. This was decided at a meeting of administrative and planning bodies of the township held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, here today.
According to sources, the land freed by the sports complex will either be developed for commercial use by PUDA or given to institutions or both. Sources pointed out that an alternative site of over eight acres required for the complex is being identified in Sector 77.
Nowhere else in the township ‘s already developed sectors is land of this size available, stated a source. The sports complex had been built at an exorbitant price by PUDA for the Sports Department Punjab. Sources confirmed that it was the Sports Department which now wanted to shift the site.
Owners of the 24 acres of land in Manauli are to be paid Rs 5 lakh per acre by Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) as price of the land to be acquired from them. The land has been acquired by PUDA for the establishment of a sewerage treatment plant.
During the meeting, according to the sources, the MLA, Kharar, Mr Bir Devinder Singh, demanded Rs 6 lakh per acre for the villagers. But a detailed calculation of the fertile and non-fertile land followed and the figure was finalised at Rs 5 lakh per acre. The village sarpanch also attended the meeting.
Sources stated that the Deputy Commissioner ordered that a strict watch be kept at various apni mandis operating in the township and only farmers be allowed to enter to sell their produce. The DC said that meat shops should be allowed to operate in regular markets in the township.
The cattle pound land issue hanging fire due to the pending decision regarding the price of land to be paid to PUDA by the MC here also came up for discussion. PUDA officials present at the meeting promised to recommend a further drop in the price of the land so that it became affordable for the MC.
The MC would be given line of demarcation for garbage dumping ground near Sohana. The boundary of this dump was shifted by about 500 meters due to objections raised by the Air Force Station Chandigarh.
The MC officials discussed the plans drawn up for the construction of the MC building in Sector 68. According to sources, the MC building will be coming up on 1.10 acres of land bought from PUDA. Sources stated that the boundary wall plan was lying with PUDA.
Among those who attended the meeting today were Ms Seema Jain, Mr Bir Devinder Singh, the ACA PUDA, Mr Yashvir Mahajan, the SDM, Mr Darshan Singh Sandhu, the Additional Executive Officer, MC, Mr Sarbjit Singh and the sarpanch of Manauli village.
