Ajitgarh

Ajitgarh Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar
—  city  —
Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial at Ajitgarh, Punjab
Ajitgarh
Coordinates: 30.78°N 76.69°E / 30.78; 76.69
Country	India
State	Punjab
District	Ajitgarh
Elevation	316 m (1,037 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	174,000
Languages
• Official	Punjabi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Telephone code	91-172
Vehicle registration	PB 65

Ajitgarh is an I.T city and a commercial hub lying adjacent to the city of Chandigarh in Punjab, India. It was officially named after the eldest son of Guru Gobind Singh, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS Nagar, or "House of Sahibzada Ajit Singh") later in 2012 the name was shortenend to Ajitgarh ("Fort of Sahibzada Ajit Singh"). It, along with Chandigarh and Panchkula, form a part of the Chandigarh Tricity. It was earlier a part of the Rupnagar District, and was carved out into a separate district in the recent years.

Background

Ajitgarh was conceived after the trifurcation of Punjab and its capital Chandigarh becoming a Union Territory in late 1966. Today, Ajitgarh and Chandigarh are contiguous areas with only the boundary of Punjab and UT of Chandigarh dividing this area. The original plan of Ajitgarh (Former Name Mohali) is in fact a mere extension of the road and design system of Chandigarh without any unique planning. The development earlier was only till Phase VII. The development of sectors and phases from Phase 8 onwards started in late 1980s, and the city got its own bus stand in Phase 8 in mid 1990s. In 2006, Ajitgarh's population was nearly 200,000, approximately 1/5 of Chandigarh's. The region has been targeted by an increasing number of outsourcing IT companies, who look to capitalize on the rich investment opportunities the city offers.

Ajitgarh comes under the jurisdiction of Punjab State while Panchkula is a part of Haryana all together comprising as chandigarh tricity.

Climate

See also: Geography of Chandigarh

Ajitgarh has a sub-tropical continental monsoon climate characterized by a seasonal rhythm: hot summers, slightly cold winters, unreliable rainfall and great variation in temperature (-1 to 44 °C or 30 to 111 °F). In winter, frost sometimes occurs during December and January. The average annual rainfall is recorded at 617 millimetres (24.3 in). The city also receives occasional winter rains from the west.

Average temperature

• Summer: The temperature in summer may rise to a maximum of 44 °C (111 °F). Temperatures generally remain between 30 and 40 °C (86 and 104 °F).
• Autumn: In autumn, the temperature may rise to a maximum of 36 °C (97 °F). Temperatures usually remain between 16 and 27 °C (61 and 81 °F) in autumn. The minimum temperature is around 13 °C (55 °F).
• Winter: Average temperatures in winter (November to February) remain at (maximum) 7 to 15 °C (45 to 59 °F) and (minimum) 1 and 5 °C (34 and 41 °F).
• Spring: spring temperatures vary between (min) 16 and 25 °C (61 and 77 °F) (max).

Demographics

As per provisional data of 2011 census Ajitgarh urban agglomeration had a population of 176,152, out of which males were 92,407 and females were 83,745. The literacy rate was 93.04 per cent.

See also: List of cities in Punjab and Chandigarh

As of 2001 India census, the city had a population of 123,284. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Mohali has an average literacy rate of 83%, higher than the national average of 75.6%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 81%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

City design

Following the success of Chandigarh's sector design, Ajitgarh was similarly planned into identical 800-by-1200 m sectors. Many have yet to be fully developed, as is the case of sector 62, which is earmarked for a future commercial City Centre. Its proximity to the PCA Stadium, as well as unrivaled transportation links to Chandigarh make it a suitable choice. Ajitgarh has also been divided into phases.

The recent Master Plan of Ajitgarh has been recently extended up to 114 sectors.

• The iconic PUDA Bhawan official headquarters of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority [1], initiated by KBS Sidhu, an IAS officer, signifies the towering role of PUDA vis-a-vis Mohali. Now, PUDA's functions of planning and urban development have been transferred to the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA); initially DC Ajitgarh had been named as its Chief Administrator, but now a separate and full-time IAS officer has been so appointed.

Cricket stadium

PCA Stadium under lights

Main article: Punjab Cricket Association Stadium

In 1992, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) unveiled a plan to build a state-of-the-art facility complete with a separate practise ground—to be built in a swampy area in the city. The PCA invested heavily in the ground, a swimming pool, health club, tennis court, library, restaurant, and bar and outdoor & indoor cricket practice nets were incorporated into the plans.

Most of the Punjab-based national cricketers train in the city, including Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Mongia, Manpreet Gony and the Punjab cricket team.

Corporate investment

While the city houses many state-local companies like PTL (Punjab Tractor Limited), ICI Paints, and the Godrej Group, its reputation as a home for large, multinational corporations is growing.

Quark, Ajitgarh

Infosys, the well-known Indian IT services major, has a development center in Ajitgarh. Global tech giants like Dell, Quark, Philips, Sebiz Infotech, SCL (Semiconductor Complex Limited), and PUNCOM have followed. Denver-based Quark, Inc. has created the $500M, 46-acre (190,000 m²) QuarkCity in Mohali, complete with a residential complex comprising 30% of the 'city'; the shopping, entertainment, medical, and educational district consume another 10%. It is expected to generate 25,000 direct, and 100,000 indirect jobs.

QuarkCity is a 51-acre (210,000 m²), multi-use development city that includes a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). QuarkCity is located in the district, 265 km (165 mi) north of India’s capital city of New Delhi.

District administration

The Deputy Commissioner, an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service, is the overall in-charge of the General Administration in the Districts of India. Currently Varun Roojam is serving as Deputy Commissioner, an Indian Administrative Services Officer of Punjab Cadre, 2004 Batch.

Politics

Ajitgarh is a Municipal Corporation, with the elections for the General Body last in June–July 2013. Currently the Municipal Council is looking after the matters under the supervision of Current Administrator Varun Roojam, Deputy Commissioner (IAS). Ajitgarh is part of Anandpur Sahib Parliamentary Constituency, currently represented by Ravneet Singh Bittu, MP. Ajitgarh was part of Kharar Assembly Constituency, But in 2012 State Assembly Elections, New Assembly Constituency was carved out in the name of Mohali(As Ajitgarh was known during Assembly Elections 2012) and Balbir Singh Sidhu, MLA is representing it in State Assembly. Ajitgarh is also represented in Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) by Paramjit Kaur Landran and Hardeep Singh. The seat was reserved for women during 2011 SGPC Elections.

Places of interest

Places of tourist interest in and around this region include the following:

• Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh
• Rock Garden, Chandigarh
• Amb Sahib Gurdwara, Ajitgarh
• Nada Sahib Gurdwara, Panchkula
• Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Ajitgarh
• Sector 17 shopping area, Chandigarh
• Main Market, Phase - 3, Ajitgarh
• Main Market, Phase - 7, Ajitgarh
• Bhakra Nangal Dam, Nangal
• Anandpur Sahib, Anandpur Shaib

Historical places

Gurudwara Shri Amb Sahib

Gurudwara Amb Sahib

Gurudwara Shri Amb Sahib is situated in the city. Seventh Guru, Shri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji visited this place to fullfill the wish of his devotee. Bhai Kuram Ji of Lambia village, visited Amritsar Sahib to pay homage to Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Guru Arjan Dev Ji's darbar was going on everyone was paying gifts according to their status and capabilities. Sangat from Kabul gifted amb (Mango) to Guru Sahib, Bhai Kuram Singh felt bad on his part that he being from the land of amb could have also served Guru ji with amb, In the evening the darbar was closed and every body was given prasaad of amb, Bhai Sahib didn't eat amb. In the morning Bhai Sahib Presented the same amb to Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

Guru Ji called upon Bhai Sahib and asked that this amb was given to him in prasaad, then why did he had given back to him. Bhai Sahib politely said its true that i got this amb(Mango) as prasaad but i being from the land of mangos felt right to present it to you. Then Guru Sahib said that you can have this as prasaad, we have felt your feelings and we will have amb in our seventh life span. Seventh Guru Shri Harrai Sahib Ji came to this place from kurukshetra in mid December and asked Bhai Kuram Ji for amb, Bhai Sahib politely said to Guru Sahib that in this season there are no amb, so I am unable to present amb, but you are almighty you can do and get done what ever you want. Guru Sahib asked Bhai Sahib that trees are loaded with ambs. Bhai Sahib when looked up that the tree Guru Sahib was standing under was full of ambs, Bhai sahib laid down on the feets of Guru Shri Harrai Sahib Ji and served everyone with amb in dec month.

Gurudwara Singh Sahidaan - Sohana

This Gurdwara is situated in Village Sohana which is very close to the City. This Gurdwara is in the memory of martyrdom of Jathedar Hanuman Singh and 500 Sikhs who won martyrdom at this place fighting against British forces during Anglo-Sikh Wars. Wooden shoes of martyrs have been preserved here. A Sarovar also exists inside Gurdwara Complex.

Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial at Ajitgarh, Punjab

• Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial, which is one of the most best site and the most visited site by the tourists in the city.
• Gurudwara Angitha Sahib, Phase - 8
• Gurudwara Puddha Sahib Gurudwara Puddha Sahib - Zirakpur
• Gurudwara Nabha Sahib - Zirakpur

Education

• National Agri - Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI)
• Indian School of Business (ISB)

The Indian School of Business provides Post-Graduate programme (PGP) across two locations – Aitgarh and Hyderabad. The city campus is spread across 70 acres, facilitating education to 200 students.

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali (IISER), Knowledge City
• National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)
• Army Institute Of Law Sector 68, adjacent AWHO
• CMC (A TATA ENT.) Subsidiary Of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Near Phase 11 Mohali, Mohali
• Shivalik Public School, Phase 6,
• IIPM
• Mata Sahib Kaur College of Nursing, Chandigarh-Kharar Highway Balongi, Ajitgarh (MSKCON)
• Rayat & Bahara Institute of Engineering & Technology
• Shaheed Udham Singh College of Engineering & Technology, Tangori, Ajitgarh
• Chandigarh College of Education for Women (CCEW)
• Chandigarh College of Engineering (CEC)
• Chandigarh College of Pharmacy (CCP)
• Chandigarh College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (CCHM)
• Chandigarh Engineering College (CEC)
• GGS College of Modern Technology
• SAS Institute of Information Technology and Research (SASIITR)
• C-DAC, that is engaged in research on state-of-the-art topics including Telemedicine.
• Gian Jyoti Public School
• The British School Sector 70. Affiliated with University of Cambridge International Examination Centre and C.B.S.E., Delhi
• Sacred Souls' School is located in a village in Gharuan district, (15 km from mohali, Chandigarh-Ludhiana Highway). The school is spread over an area of 18 acres. Its a co-educational, English medium school.

Medical facilities

The city has a number of specialty hospitals. Government dispensaries also are present in some sectors.

Government Hospital Of Phase-6 is Oldest Hospital of the city.

The Fortis Hospital In Phase-8 Ajitgarh Near PUDA Bhawan and Punjab Education Board Office. 'Indus Super Speciality Hospital', Phase 1 near old Mohlai Barrier and 'Indus Hospital'-Phase3B-2 provide 24 hours accident & emergency clinical services.

A 24 hour Chemist is available at Indus Hospital in Phase One & Phase 3B2.

External links

• Ajitgarh travel guide from Wikivoyage