No progress in Herbal Garden
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 22—The Herbal Garden project of Sector 1 envisaged by the UT Administration in 1990 is lying in the doldrums, with all departments concerned accusing one other for the delay in setting up of the garden different herbal species.

The place earmarked for setting up the garden is lying neglected, an evidence of which is a sheet of wild grass standing over it. A part of it is even being used as a parking lot for vehicles of visitors to the residence of the Punjab Chief Minster across the road.

According to official sources, Rs 20 lakh has been spent on the development of the garden and for undertaking civil work at the place measuring about 45 acres. But since 1995, when the money was allocated, there is no visible sign of development, with the place sans fencing and even the gate.

The place, known as Herbarium, has become an ideal place for buffaloes and other animals who are found in abundance there during night.

The administration had planned that at least 500 varieties of herbs would be planted so that residents could have a glimpse of diversity in the area. But nothing happened beyond planning in black and white.

According to sources in Horticulture Department, the delay was allegedly on account of delay on the part of the Architecture Department as it has failed to provide drawings of the construction plan of the place and the inability of the construction division of the Engineering Department, with which an amount of Rs 20 lakh was deposited, to undertake construction of roads and setting of fencing around the place.

However, Mr S.L. Bhandari, Xen C.P (II), denied that there was any delay on the part of the construction division as it had 'already undertaken' the job assigned to it and returned the balance amount as per norms. Similarly, Mr Sabharwal, a senior architect in the Architecture Department said he was not aware that the Horticulture Department had sent any drawings of the project to the department. "At least I am not aware of this," he asserted.

Mr Hardev Singh, Xen, Horticulture, said the department had asked the architects to prepare drawings in 1990. But these drawing were faulty and sent back for ratification. But the latter did not respond thereafter.