The Municipal Corporation is set to begin a comprehensive survey this week to commercialize 58 roads across the city, aiming to provide relief to businessmen and curb corruption in the building branch. The survey will measure the length and width of each road and assess the percentage of commercial land use. For efficient management, the city has been divided into eight zones, and the survey will be conducted ward-wise.
Once the survey is completed, the findings will be sent to Chandigarh for approval. Following approval, commercial maps will be passed for roads that are at least 33 feet wide, simplifying the process for business owners who have faced difficulties because earlier regulations required roads to be 65 feet wide for commercial status.
Background
Most markets in the city developed along narrow roads, especially after independence, when many people migrated from Pakistan and settled here. Over time, approximately 80% of the old city roads have become commercial. In 2022, a previous survey showed that more than 70% of roads in the old market area had commercial activity, but the proposal was delayed due to objections from Chandigarh regarding ward-wise classification.
Roads included in the survey
The survey will focus on roads with at least 70% commercial use, including the following key stretches:
- Shaheed Babu Labh Singh Nagar to Nagra Road (75%)
- Basti Baba Khel to Babu Labh Singh Nagar (75%)
- Basti Baba Khel to Gakhlan (75%)
- Basti Peerdad Bridge to Leather Complex (70%)
- Rajnagar to Madhuban Colony (75%)
- Basti Peerdad to Basti Bawa Khel Adda (80%)
- Basti Peerdad to Sher Singh Colony (80%)
- Adarsh Nagar Gurdwara to JP Nagar (90%)
- Jhandian Wala Peer Chowk to Adarsh Nagar (80%)
- Jhandianwala Peer Chowk to Avtar Nagar (80%)
- Football Chowk to Basti Gujan (80%)
- Babu Jagjivan Ram Chowk, Basti Danishmanda to Gakhlaan (70%)
- Sher Singh Colony to Danishmand Road (70%)
- Basti Nau to Babrik Chowk (95%)
- Railway Station to Sai Das School 1 (100%)
- Sri Guru Ravidas School to Jaimal Nagar (90%)
- Mittapur Chowk to Kukki Dhab Chowk (85%)
- Hardayal Nagar to Satguru Kabir Chowk (90%)
- Chhoti Baradari from Golden Avenue Phase 2 (90%)
Expected impact
Mayor Vaneet Dhir stated that this initiative will clarify which roads in each ward can be commercialized, easing the approval process for business owners and promoting transparency within the municipal corporation. The move is expected to boost local commerce and reduce corruption related to commercial map approvals.
The survey marks a significant step towards modernizing the city’s infrastructure and supporting economic growth by officially recognizing the commercial status of many roads that have organically developed into business hubs over the years.