Chandigarhs First Planned Bulk Market Nears October Opening
Chandigarh’s first planned Bulk Market in Sector 56 is rapidly progressing towards its targeted October completion, with major infrastructure work expected to conclude by month-end. This ambitious project, spread across 55.14 acres, aims to revolutionize the city’s commercial landscape by providing a structured hub for furniture, marble, and construction sectors. Designed to formalize existing informal clusters, the market will feature 200 one-kanal plots and 52 booths, offering a legal and organized alternative for various businesses.
The market’s inception followed comprehensive surveys of informal commercial clusters, including the Marble Market in Dhanas and Sarangpur, conducted in 2016 and 2018. This data informed the allocation of 200 plots and a subsequent decision to accommodate shopkeepers from the recently demolished furniture market. The project encompasses dedicated areas for essential infrastructure such as roads, green spaces, parking facilities, and public utilities. The engineering department has already awarded separate tenders for crucial civil works, public health infrastructure, and electrification, including internal roads, water supply, sewage systems, stormwater drains, streetlights, and a power sub-station.
However, a key regulatory hurdle remains: obtaining the mandatory Environment Clearance (EC) from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The tender process to hire a consultant for securing this vital clearance faced a setback, receiving only two bids—one short of the required minimum—and is now being repeated. Officials confirm that the administration can only proceed with the crucial allotment of plots and booths following the receipt of this environmental clearance. The development plan was a collaborative effort involving various departments, ensuring a comprehensive approach to urban planning and on-ground execution. Furthermore, environmental considerations, including the removal of around 350 trees, were addressed with necessary permissions and departmental coordination. All plots and booths are slated for allotment through an open auction, with the collector rate serving as the base price to ensure transparency. The total estimated cost of the project’s civil, public health, and electricity works, along with contingency, stands at approximately ₹22.26 crore.
Across Chandigarh, this pioneering Bulk Market project represents a significant stride towards organized urban development and formalizing key commercial activities. Its successful completion, contingent on environmental clearances, promises a more structured business environment and improved civic amenities. The initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to strategic planning and sustainable growth for the city’s future economy.
