Southern sectors cry for basic amenities,Admn yet to tune in

To start with,the third phase sectors do not have a proper market. Think of shopping hubs and Sector 17 or 35 are the first ones to come to mind. There is no market in the third phase sectors that can cater to the requirements of the people to match up to the facilities available in markets in north of the city. In fact,in certain areas even the basic requirements of residents cannot be fulfilled. With these sectors bordering Mohali,residents either depend on the markets in Mohali or head to the north of the city.

Similar is the case with health care facilities. Leave alone hospitals,there are no dispensaries in the third phase sectors. In case of an emergency,residents have no option but to rush to the PGI,Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sector 16 or the Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources Pawan Kumar Bansal has also stressed on the need of having a hospital in the southern sectors. In fact Bansal has stated that instead of the much touted Medicity project that has been proposed a hospital should be provided in the third phase and healthcare facilities be strengthened.

The sites earmarked for government schools in these sectors are yet to be developed. The residents have demanded that a police station be set up to cater to the third phase sectors which has not been done. The internal roads are in urgent need of carpeting. The condition of streetlights leaves much to be desired as is the case of landscaping. Wild growth has taken over most of the vacant spaces and construction waste can be seen strewn everywhere.

General Secretary of Chandigarh Social Welfare Council Satish Sharma says,“For atleast the past three years,we have been raising these demands but no concrete steps have been taken. The southern sectors are in a completely neglected state. The north-south divide is quite evident. While the Administration is planning to set up some theme parks in the area,basic amenities should be the priority.”

Taverns and liquor vends are,however,present in abundance in the southern sectors with a majority of them along the Chandigarh-Mohali border.

Chairman Federation of Sectors Welfare Association Chandigarh P C Sanghi says proper facilities should be provided to residents at the earliest. “One of the problems is that part of the area was developed by Chandigarh Housing Board. However,facilities like e-sampark centres,schools,etc are to be provided by the Administration. The development of greenbelts and parks has been given to the Municipal Corporation. While we have been raising these demands for many years,development of facilities tends to take time,” he says.

Councillor Chander Mukhi Sharma says the Municipal Corporation is bound to provide the basic amenities to the residents including streetlights and water supply but schools and health care is the duty of the Administration.