Sector 56 Bulk Material Market Opens for Furniture Traders
In a move aimed at reorganising markets and providing better business infrastructure, the UT Administration of Chandigarh has decided to relocate the long-established furniture market from its current location on government land between Sectors 53 and 54 to a new commercial hub being developed in Sector 56. The new market, set to open by May 2025, will offer traders a chance to bid for commercial sites through an upcoming e-auction, allowing them to own plots in a much more structured environment.
The new bulk material market in Sector 56 is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore and spans 44 acres. It will feature 191 plots, each measuring a kanal (around 500 square yards), and 48 booths. Traders will have the option to build multi-story buildings with a basement and up to three floors on each kanal plot, offering ample space for business operations. Initially, the UT Administration had focused on relocating only the marble traders from Dhanas to the Sector 56 market, with no consideration for the furniture market. However, in response to the furniture traders’ concerns and demands for larger plots, the decision has now been amended. Both furniture and marble traders will now be eligible to bid for plots in the new market. The Administration had earlier suggested a shift to Dhanas’ rehabilitation colony, but this was rejected by traders due to the insufficient size of the plots, which they argued would not support their business needs.
The shift to the Sector 56 market is seen as a positive step towards better urban planning and the efficient use of government land. The new market will bring together multiple businesses, with traders from various sectors able to participate in the auction for commercial space. This auction is expected to attract significant attention and competition, as it will open opportunities to a wide range of industries beyond just furniture and marble. A key concern raised by traders is the impending eviction from government land. Over the past four decades, furniture traders have occupied land worth an estimated Rs 4,000 crore in Sectors 53 and 54, where they have conducted their businesses. Despite repeated notices and efforts to clear encroachments, the UT Administration is moving forward with its plan to vacate the land. With the new market in place, the traders have been offered a more structured and regulated environment to continue their businesses legally.
The move will also involve an auction process that will soon be initiated by the Estate Office. Land Acquisition Officer Saurabh Arora held a meeting with officials to discuss the process, and it was confirmed that the e-auction will take place shortly. While the furniture traders will now have the opportunity to acquire plots in the new market, it is clear that the eviction process will continue, and the traders will have to secure their new sites through the auction to avoid displacement in the coming months. Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav has urged traders to participate in the auction and secure commercial spaces to avoid future uncertainties. Meanwhile, the marble market in Dhanas, also set for relocation, has highlighted the scale of change occurring in Chandigarh’s commercial landscape. The new market in Sector 56 is expected to be a turning point for both furniture and marble traders, offering them an opportunity to flourish in a more organised and sustainable environment. As Chandigarh’s commercial real estate undergoes significant redevelopment, this move is expected to enhance the city’s overall market structure and provide businesses with better opportunities for growth. For now, traders have their sights set on the e-auction, which will decide their future in the newly designed Sector 56 market.
