The details and modalities of integration of public health services, road network and electrical works will be worked out jointly by chief engineers from UT, CHB and PUDA by mid-August. Two Superintending Engineers from UT and PUDA will be nodal officers.

The idea for joint strategy was mooted in a meeting held last week under the chairmanship of PUDA Chief S. C. Aggarwal. UT Finance Secretary Rakesh Singh, Chief Engineer R. K. Jain, Chief Architect Sarabjit Singh, MC Chief Engineer (CE) Puranjit Singh, CHB CE S. K. Jain, PUDA CE Jagjit Singh and Additional Chief Administrator Dipinder Singh were among the senior officials present on the occasion.

It was agreed that PUDA had no objection to integrate services and infrastructure of the third phase sectors of Chandigarh, falling partially in Punjab territory.

To effectively tackle and solve the acute problem of unauthorised constructions and development of slums, the PUDA and Chandigarh Administration have agreed to formulate a coordinated strategy.

It was further decided that the UT Administration would ensure the early completion of missing vertical and horizontal linkages for smooth flow of inter-city traffic and facilitating common services.

Sectors 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 62, 63, and 64, adjoining Kajheri village, have been identified where common services are to be laid by Administration on priority basis. UT Finance Secretary informed the members that the development of these sectors would be undertaken speedily so that the developed land can be made available to the members of the group housing societies who have deposited 15 per cent with the CHB.

Presently, residents of these sectors have to cover additional distance whenever seasonal nullah bordering Chandigarh and S. A. S. Nagar overflows during the rainy season.

The senior officials who participated in the meeting told Newsline that a committee involving high-ranking officials would be constituted to look into mechanism and modalities of proper maintenance of services and infrastructure on boundary of UT and Mohali.