While the administration brags about the rich heritage of the city and fights tooth and nail to acquire heritage status for it, the sorry state of affairs at the historic gates around the old walled city tells a different story.
These monuments and buildings, more than anything else, seem to be the most favoured places for sticking posters, political banners etc.
It is an irony that these heritage structures, which were rebuilt during the British era, including Hall Gate, Hathi Gate, Gate Hakima Wala, Sultanwind Gate etc. pose a perfect example of the negligent attitude of the authorities concerned.
“What kind of heritage we are showing to our generations. The government spends huge amounts for conducting heritage festivals but nothing is being done to preserve the heritage structures,” said a resident Hari Krishan.
Stringent measures should be taken against defaulters who put up hoardings and paste posters on these buildings while caring little about the heritage value of these important buildings, he opined.
Once a Municipal Corporation Commissioner took to streets and cleaned up the walls of the Hall Gate by tearing out posters and banners pasted on the historic gate, to encourage the public and administration for coming forward for the preservation of heritage buildings of the city.
But people hardly learn from good examples. Vendors have put up stalls alongside the gate walls while shops have opened up in these structures which should be rehabilitated, viewed heritage lovers and conservationists, who were upset over the half-hearted approach of the administration in maintaining these structures.
Dr. Balwinder Singh, a heritage lover and Professor, Guru Ramdass School of Planning at the Guru Nanak Dev University, pointed out that these gates depict the grandeur of the old walled city.
He said walls of the gates have been encroached upon by officials and private parties. He said the government should make these monuments encroachment free and give them appropriate face lift. He said like the Rambagh Gate, belonging to the legendary Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the remaining gates should also be restored and preserved.
PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service
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