To revive Sector-17 Plaza, once the most favourite destination for the city residents, the municipal corporation (MC), after a gap of six years, has decided to allow commercial activities at the plaza.
The agenda will be taken up at the finance and contract committee (F&CC) meet on December 7.
MC commissioner Bhawna Garg said it was important to restore the old glory of the commercial hub that was witnessing a drastic drop in footfall, thereby struggling to compete with comely and convenient malls of the city. Some areas that are lying unused should be utilised properly.
During its renovation in 2009, the MC had spent around `8 crore, after which, to maintain cleanliness and to stop destruction of government property, the commercial activities were stopped. Area councillor Pardeep Chhabra said, “It’s a welcome step as it will help the MC generate revenues too. We have also proposed that to make the plaza lively again, the ground floors of the government offices should be used for commercial purposes. Cafés, restaurants, shops, etc should be opened on the ground floors, or wherever the space is available.”
During the Diwali festival in November, the MC had planned to hold joyrides, set up stalls and lighten up trees at the plaza, but as no bidder came forward so the idea was dropped.
{{/usCountry}}During the Diwali festival in November, the MC had planned to hold joyrides, set up stalls and lighten up trees at the plaza, but as no bidder came forward so the idea was dropped.
{{/usCountry}}Pertinent to mention that since 2006, the MC has been doing nothing but empty talk when it comes to provide a facelift to the Sector-17 Plaza. Some of the old promises include toy train, three big pools, modern benches, modified footpaths and two fountains opposite the General Post Office.
In May, the project had gained some momentum as the then deputy commissioner-cum-estate officer SB Deepak Kumar and other senior officers had shown interest to revive the market but things haven’t moved much since then.