Night shelter set up on cycle track in Chandigarh's Sector 22!

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 21

The UT Administration has set up a night shelter, meant to facilitate homeless people during biting cold nights, on a cycle track at Sector 22-C.

Every year, the shelter is set up in the area at an open space near a public convenience. This year too, it was installed at the same place. However, sources claimed that it was relocated to a cycle track (located nearby) as it was blocking the view of an advertisement hoarding pasted on the wall of the public convenience.

The hoarding was carrying an advertisement of a political party in connection with the MC elections.

“There’s no logic in shifting the shelter from an open space to a narrow location having a cycle track. The shelter was clearly blocking the view of the hoarding for people coming at the roundabout,” said Atul, a regular passerby.

Meanwhile, blocking of the cycle track disrupted traffic as cyclists had to use the slip road or pavement. “It’s difficult to cross the path amid hindrance. If the track was laid specifically for cyclists, it should not be used for any other purpose,” said Anil, a cyclist.

One of his companions added, “We are being forced to use the main road and negotiate heavy traffic. The authorities concerned should look into this as this is one of the busiest traffic junctions of the city.” UT officials could not be contacted for a comment on the issue.