Chandigarh, 9 February 2025: Following Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria’s recent inspection, the Chandigarh Administration has fast-tracked the process of shifting the Sector 26 mandi to its designated site in Sector 39. The auction of shop-cum-offices (SCOs) at the new mandi is set to conclude by March 31.
Kataria, during his visit to both the existing mandi and the Sector 39 site on Thursday, directed officials to expedite the auction process. Later, UT Agriculture Secretary Hari Kalikat chaired a meeting to discuss the modalities of the auction, aligning it with the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007.
With the Administrator’s approval, the State Agriculture Marketing Board has formed an eight-member committee to oversee the auction of 46 shops in the first phase.
The shops will be allotted on a 99-year leasehold basis through an open auction, with a reserve price of ₹3.75 crore per 120-square-yard unit. The remaining 46 units, out of a total of 92, will be auctioned in the second phase.
The relocation has faced delays despite the Sector 39 site’s allocation in 2002. Acquired in 1990, the 75-acre land remained unused due to complications, including underground pipelines from the Kajauli waterworks.
An official mentioned that instead of relocating the pipelines, a green belt would be developed over them.
Once the auction process is complete, the Sector 26 mandi will be de-notified, marking the final step in the long-pending relocation. The meeting was attended by Market Committee Administrator Pavitter Singh, State Agricultural Marketing Board Joint Secretary Rajiv Tewari, and other officials.
