The reserve price for each plot measuring 294.50 square yards was fixed at Rs 37.74 lakh. The bids varied between Rs 47 and 54.10 lakh, depending upon the location of the site. A PUDA spokesman said the area has been developed into a Modern Commercial Complex, with the new district administrative complex being constructed by PUDA at a cost of Rs 857.37 lakh and expected to be completed by August 31 this year. Apart from the nine SCOs disposed off through auctions, 30 more shop-cum-office sites and 40 booth sites still remain to be auctioned, he added.

He said a site measuring one acre has been reserved for a large-scale commercial project. This area measuring seven acre has been retrieved from illegal occupation by jhuggi dwellers after more than 20 years and is expected to fetch PUDA Rs 40 crore, he said. The jhuggi dwellers have been rehabilitated on a piece of land on the Amritsar road, given to Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authorityby the Revenue Department for this purpose, the spokesman added.