Indian Express 17.09.2010
Panchkula MC to set up new office at Devi Nagar
CHHAVI BHATIA Tags : Municipal Corporation, Panchkula residents Posted: Fri Sep 17 2010, 06:40 hrs
Panchkula: Panchkula residents who have any work with the Municipal Corporation (MC) will soon have to be prepared to travel to the far end of the township, where the MC is planning to set up its new office. It will construct a new building in Devinagar, shifting from its current makeshift office in Sector 4.The MC has earmarked an approximately 1 acre site in Devi Nagar for the building. Though the land belongs to the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the MC had sent a proposal to acquire it a few months ago when the then Council was elevated to the status of a Corporation.
The new office, which would be on the outskirts of the township, would prove inconvenient for its location, particularly to residents of Pinjore and Kalka who would have to cross National Highway 22 to reach the premises. Similarly, for those staying in urban sectors of the district, the location will be out of the way.
The MC had earlier sought land in Sector 5 near the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) office as it wanted to be more accessible to the residents. In fact, it was the issue of accessibility to the residents that had prompted the MC to choose the Sector 4 community centre for its makeshift office.
MC officials, however, feel that the advantages of the proposed location, at the other end of the township, would outweigh any inconvenience to residents . “We would have the spacious building we need to accommodate the Corporation’s increasing staff. The building would not be in an isolated area, as is being feared and, with well-connected roads, it would be a rather smooth ride,” claimed a senior MC official.
However, the location has also not gone down well with some former councillors who reiterate that it is too far out of the way and that the distance would pose hugely inconvenient for those staying in Kalka and Pinjore. “All the major offices, including the secretariat and other government offices, are located in prime locations like Sector 2, 5 and 6,” noted former MC president Ravinder Rawal.
“The MC building, too, should be centrally located as it would also be looking after the work of Pinjore and Kalka. It would be difficult for anyone to travel about 15-20 km and cross the NH just to get a certificate attested,” he pointed out
