Deputy Commissioner (DC) Nishant Kumar Yadav has announced that stricter enforcement measures are underway against unauthorised guesthouses and hotels in the villages of Chandigarh. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Federation of Sectors Welfare Association Chandigarh (FOSWAC) held at the People Convention Centre in Sector 36-B. Over 94 representatives from various Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) participated in the meeting, which was chaired by Baljinder Singh Bittu.
DC Assures Priority Resolution of Civic Issues
The DC stated that all issues raised by residents would be forwarded to the concerned departments and addressed on a priority basis. He highlighted that the Estate Office has cleared pending notices and streamlined property registrations and mutations through its online portal. The special intensive revision (SIR) process is simple and citizen-friendly, and he requested FOSWAC to educate residents about it.
FOSWAC Chairman Appreciates DC's Efforts
Baljinder Singh Bittu appreciated the DC for making the city slum-free and streamlining property registration and mutation processes. However, he expressed urgent concerns about the newly announced Bed and Breakfast Policy by the Tourism Department, warning that it could lead to several problems. Bittu demanded immediate removal of illegal “rehris” (handcarts) and “phadis” (stalls) from footpaths. He also highlighted unsatisfactory medical facilities for senior citizens, noting that no permanent doctors have been appointed in several hospitals for over two decades.
RWAs Raise Multiple Civic Grievances
KL Aggarwal, president of the RWA Independent Houses in Sector 13, pointed out major issues with parks maintained by RWAs. He alleged that the renewal of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) is cumbersome, park maintenance is being allotted to outsiders, and payments are deliberately delayed to pressure RWAs into giving up park maintenance. Kamaljeet Singh Panchhi from the Sector 18 RWA opposed the Bed and Breakfast Policy, stating it would exacerbate parking issues. Ranjit Singh, president of the Sector 45 RWA (Burail), reported that roads in his area are in poor condition.
Healthcare and Traffic Concerns Dominated Discussions
Pardeep Chopra, secretary of FOSWAC, highlighted that Chandigarh’s three major hospitals are overcrowded with patients from neighbouring states. He urged the administration to establish a Medicity and allow properly regulated nursing homes instead of the bed and breakfast scheme. VK Nirmal from Sector 44 RWA and DK Kapila, president of the Sector 36 RWA, said peak-hour traffic chokes roads around schools and colleges, particularly near MCM College and Guru Nanak Public School, and demanded proper traffic regulation at these locations.
Garbage Dumps and Encroachments Also Raised
Poonam Gulia from the Sector 7 RWA noted a large garbage dump near a school in her area, with tree pruning not done despite repeated complaints. Dr KS Chaudhary, president of the Sector 38-West RWA, said small garbage dumps are mushrooming in residential areas. Dalwinder Singh Saini from the Sector 40 RWA urged immediate auction of vacant plots in his sector. Rajan Brar from Citizens Association, Sector 21, alleged that there is no check on encroachments by illegal vendors in various markets.
