CHANDIGARH, Oct. 18 — The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Friday kicked off a city-wide road recarpeting project worth ₹40 crore, aimed at repairing and upgrading key transport routes across the city. Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla inaugurated the initiative in Sector 29, assuring residents that the first phase of work would be completed within a month after Diwali.
Announcing the launch, Babla said 11 tenders had been finalised under the project, covering priority stretches identified through a recent city survey that classified roads into three categories — Very Very Poor, Very Poor, and Poor. “The work has already been allotted for several V4, V5 and V6 roads,” she said, adding that the focus was on ensuring durable and high-quality resurfacing.
“We understand the importance of smooth, safe roads for daily life,” the Mayor said. “To minimise inconvenience during the festive season, work will initially be confined to select areas. But immediately after Diwali, the pace will pick up in full throttle with all allotted resources.”
Babla assured citizens that the awarded recarpeting work would be completed within a month after Diwali. “Our goal is to deliver visible results quickly, without disrupting public movement during the celebrations,” she said.
In a parallel announcement, the Mayor unveiled a one-time relief scheme for street vendors who lost their vending licences due to non-payment of dues to the Municipal Corporation. The decision, she said, was taken to support small businesses struggling to recover from economic challenges.
“This is a Diwali gift to our vendor community, many of whom have faced hardships,” Babla said. “We believe in inclusive growth, and this step ensures that small traders get a fair chance to recover and thrive.”
Under the scheme, 472 vendors who defaulted on payments will be given a three-month window to clear their dues. Those who pay within this period will have their licences reinstated, while failure to comply will result in permanent cancellation.
The Mayor clarified that this would be the final opportunity for defaulting vendors. “The MC will not entertain further appeals once the three-month period lapses,” she said, adding that detailed payment guidelines will soon be issued to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Earlier, the civic body had extended a similar relief to 172 vendors after a case review, and the new decision expands the benefit to a larger number of applicants. Babla said the move reinforces the Corporation’s commitment to both city infrastructure development and the welfare of its informal economy.
