Chandigarh, October 15 : There were many news reports in local media that Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh is still planning on how to promote booths under the newly constructed over bridge in Sector 17, Chandigarh.
Today, Pramod Sharma, Coordinator, Yuvsatta wrote a letter to Pawan Kumar Bansal, MP, with copies to Mayor Subhash Chawla and Vivek Pratap Singh, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh suggesting therein to open a ‘Chandigarh Haat’ to attract more visitors at booths under the newly constructed over bridge in Sector 17, Chandigarh. Normally no visitor visits this side of Sector 17, but with lively & happening ‘Chandigarh Haat’ and a little more green space, it can become another site of local and tourist attraction.
In his letter Pramod Sharma cited the successful experiment of Dilli Haat by Delhi Government to promote the rich crafts of India. Dilli Haat was conceived as a crafts village where local craftsmen are given a chance to display their creative wares on a mainstream platform, an exposure that is equally beneficial for the urban population as well as the craftsman.
He further said that like Dilli Haat the new Bridge Market or ‘Chandigarh Haat’ can be conceived as a series of small display spaces through which a visitor can walk and discover the different items on display. Individual small spaces can be allotted to the various craftsmen, where they can hang their wares. Stalls can be allotted on nominal rent like Dilli Haat to the craftsmen for a period of 15 days, after which new craftsmen can be given space to display their wares, which can ensure that things are constantly getting refreshed. Similarly the idea of a food court can also be tried alongside ‘Chandigarh Haat’, where food stalls from various states are there with the different cuisines.