Basic amenities a missing link in city’s tourism tale

Nobody can deny the fact that a lack of basic facilities, coupled with the unavailability of drinking water at places of tourist interest, is a big scar on the face of the city. The responsibility of providing and maintaining basic facilities lies with the UT Administration and the Municipal Corporation. The civic body should gird up its loins and install air purifiers at every toilet, along with ensuring the supply of tertiary water. Underground rainwater tanks should be constructed in the parks. Clean drinking water at subsidised rates should be provided to tourists.

Harish Kapur, Chandigarh

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Provide basic amenities at regular intervals

It is true that basic facilities such as toilets and clean drinking water are missing even at the world famous tourist spots in the City Beautiful. The Rock Garden, Rose Garden and Sukhna Lake have only one toilet each. The one at the Rose Garden always remains locked and people can be seen urinating in the open. Shame! There should be toilets and clean drinking water available at every 200 metres at these tourist spots.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

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Primary facilities lacking

Despite having a number of tourist attractions and an easy access to these spots, basic amenities are the missing link. Clean washrooms with proper water supply, well-illuminated areas, ample seating arrangements like wooden benches for elderly, availability of drinking water and dustbins are the basic conveniences required for visitors. An information centre should be opened to give visitors all necessary information about the services provided to them. Visitors too need to feel the sense of ownership by keeping the tourists places clean.

Kamalpreet Kaur, Mohali

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Hire firms for maintenance

In an aspiring smart city, world-class basic facilities should be provided at well-known tourist places such as the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake. However, owing to the official apathy, these tourist places remained neglected. These lack clean toilets and purified drinking water. Clean toilets should be provided at these tourist places and their maintenance should be handed over to private companies, who may charge nominal fee, if required. The Administration should seek suggestions or feedback from visitors by displaying contact details of the department concerned at the toilets. people should behave responsibly by maintaining cleanliness.

Bhupinder S Sealopal, Mohali

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Hold officials accountable

The greatest misfortune is that neither we use basic facilities properly nor contribute to overcoming drawbacks. Even at places like the Rose Garden or Sukhna Lake, people spit, urinate in the open and indulge in littering. Finding the authorities deficient in service, the public needs to feel concerned. Holding the authorities accountable is also people's responsibility.

MPS Chadha, Mohali

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Entrust maintenance work to single agency

The MC and the UT Administration have failed to provide basic amenities at tourist destinations due to the involvement of several departments with no accountability. It would, therefore, be advisable that the responsibility to provide and maintain all basic amenities at tourist spots be given to one agency, preferably CITCO, which should be held accountable for all lapses. To attract tourists and prevent further deterioration in basic facilities, the civic body should sign a MoU with the agency at the earliest and provide requisite funds accordingly.

AS Ahuja, Chandigarh

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Give incentives to workers

It is deplorable that toilets at Sukna Lake, Rose garden and even at the Rock Garden are in a pitiable state due irregular water supply and non-functional taps. This paints a poor picture of the city. Government agencies must wake up and take immediate action to improve the basic amenities. Supervision be made more stringent and the staff concerned should be made accountability for any lapse. It would be worthwhile to introduce a monthly incentive scheme for the maintenance staff. This will instill a sense of competition among them, resulting in better services to visitors.

SS Arora, Mohali

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Improve water supply

A shortage of water, stinking toilets and insufficient seating arrangements greet visitors at tourists spots. Water storage tanks of larger quantity should be arranged, along with providing more drinking water spots. Toilet blocks are not sufficient. More good quality blocks with proper water supply should be built. Sufficient toilet cleaners and deodorants should be provided. Most importantly, sufficient staff should be provided for the maintenance work.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma

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Make officials pay for laxity

Cleanliness of toilets at the Rose Garden, Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake is the prime duty of the UT Health Department. At the Rock Garden, visitors shell a hefty amount for tickets. Shopkeepers too pay to the Administration to run shops there. Then, why can't toilets be maintained properly? Why officials are not visiting these spots regularly for inspection? Many foreigners visit these tourist spots. What impression they would carry of the city after experiencing the poor condition of toilets? Officers must be held accountable for the lapse.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

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Ensure the basics first

Visitors will be able to enjoy their stay in the city only if we maintain the basic amenities well at tourists spots. Provide enough water with other basic provision at all tourist places to attract visitors.

Tarlok Singh, Mani Majra

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Create additional washrooms

Tourist paces like the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake need water coolers. Additional washrooms are also needed. Workers should be given proper cleaning equipment to clean the washrooms. Tourists too should be told how to use washrooms. Plenty of dustbins should be provided.

Priya Darsh Growar, Mohali

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Officials to blame

Tourist spots like the Rock Garden and Rose Garden and Sukhna Lake will lose their charm if ill-maintained. Owing to the lack of cleanliness, despite initiating the cleanliness drive, tourists go back without fond memories of the city. The authorities are responsible for the mess as they failed to maintain the basic facilities.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

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Be sincere 

To improve the basic amenities, the authorities concerned need to be sincere. Tackle vendors roaming freely at Sukhna Lake. Visitors should be charged for using washrooms at tourist places. Persons spitting in the open should be fined heavily.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh

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Learn from West

Go to any tourist spots or even important landmarks in the west, you’ll find a tourist office, supplying you with all necessary details, along with a map of the tourist spot. There will be a corner for eatables where you can enjoy the local flavour. Guided tours may be arranged at tourist spots. Clean toilets is a must. Free cold drinks should be provided.

Tejinder Singh Kalra, Mohali