11 days on, Amritsar MC’s beautification drive yet to reach Golden Temple

The ongoing special cleanliness and beautification drive launched by the Amritsar Municipal Corporation is yet to reach the Golden Temple, even after 11 days of commencement. According to the original plan announced by the Municipal Corporation officials, the stretch from Golden Gate to Darbar Sahib was to be cleaned within seven days. However, due to overgrown grass, debris, garbage and numerous encroachments, even a large contingent of volunteers from the Bhuri Wale Baba Kar Sewa group could only reach as far as Alpha Mall in the first week. Their efforts were limited to cleaning the green belts, while road and footpath repairs remain pending.

On Thursday, the campaign extended to areas including Ghio Mandi to Shiwala Virbhan and from Bazaar Petia to Jallianwala Bagh. Additional MC Commissioner Surinder Singh, local MLA Ajay Gupta and area councillor Jarnail Singh Dhot were also present to oversee the progress.

Municipal Commissioner Gulpreet Singh said this special beautification and maintenance campaign was launched in collaboration with Dera Baba Bhuri Wale and aims to improve the condition of key roads leading to Darbar Sahib. Various departments of the Municipal Corporation, including civil, O&M, estate, advertisement, horticulture and street light wings, are jointly involved in the operation. The campaign has also received support from major social, religious, commercial and residential welfare associations of the city.

City residents have widely appreciated this effort to improve the city’s appearance. MLA Ajay Gupta praised the campaign, calling it commendable, adding that the city roads have visibly improved.

A large number of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected to visit Amritsar on 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The MLA claimed that the Punjab Government has released special funds to mark the occasion. Municipal Commissioner Gulpreet Singh stated that, under clear directions, the corporation is working on garbage collection, mechanical sweeping and clearing unauthorised encroachments and street vendors from major roads.