Top Headlines of the Day
1. No international flight from Chandigarh this winter
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Chandigarh International Airport has not listed any international flight in its winter schedule that will come into force on Sunday (October 25) and last till March 27 next year.
Dashing the hopes of travel buffs, tour operators, and industrialists, there is no new destination added on the domestic circuit as well. The number of domestic flights has been reduced from 36 to 29 in the schedule.
In April last year, round-the-clock operations had begun at the airport, allowing landing of bigger aircraft, including Airbus 330 and Boeing 787-800 (Dreamliner). However, even after 18 months, no big aircraft is in the pipeline.
2. Chandigarh estate department to auction properties by year-end
In line with the UT administration’s emphasis on monetizing assets in the wake of Covid-induced revenue shortfall, the UT estate office is planning to auction off residential and commercial properties by the end of the year.
Keeping in mind the real estate market scenario and the economic slowdown, the estate office is being cautious with any sharp increase in last year’s reserve and auction prices. “The final list and reserve prices of the properties will be decided after the approval of the UT administration. Though last year the residential properties had received a tremendous response, this year, the market situation is different and reserve prices will be set with this in mind,” the official added.
Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Housing Board is also planning to offer more than 200 residential and commercial properties for auction by December-end. CHB had failed to find any taker for its properties last year.
3. Road widening work commences in Industrial Area
To decongest traffic at Tribune Chowk, the UT Administration has started work on the widening of a road from the Poultry Farm chowk to the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) workshop in the Industrial Area, Phase I, here.
Parallel to Purv Marg, the road will ease traffic on Dakshin Marg and Madhya Marg. It will also improve connectivity between the UT and Panchkula. The work to widen the road, undertaken at a cost of nearly Rs10 crore, is likely to be completed by early next year
4. Rowers wait for govt SOPs to start practice at Sukhna Lake
After the UT Administration allowed the commencement of boating at the Sukhna Lake, local rowers are now eagerly waiting for the government’s SOPs to restart their practice. Sports complexes have opened for players and the general public in the city, but rowers are still waiting for the government’s clearance to use boats and equipment.
5. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh launches phase-II of eco-project
Launching the phase-II of the Rs 11,000-crore Urban Environment Improvement Programme (UEIP), Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today virtually laid the foundation stones of projects worth Rs 700 crore
Kickstarting projects across 167 towns in the state, the CM said the Excise and Taxation Department would soon notify a one-time settlement scheme for pending VAT assessments to promote economic activity in urban areas. Capt Amarinder said he had asked the Industries and Taxation Departments to work out a more user-friendly system
6. Over 20,000 visit Mansa Devi temple on Ashtami
Over 20,000 devotees visited Mansa Devi temple on Ashtami here today. This was the second-most crowded day at the temple during this Navratras. According to officials, devotees offered cash donation of around
Rs11 lakh today, besides a large number of gold and silver articles.
MS Yadav, CEO of the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, said: “The devotees donated around Rs1.18 crore at Mansa Devi temple and Kali Mata temple during the eight days of the Navratri fest”.
