MC to remove commercial structures from Company Bagh

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 12

With the takeover of conservation, preservation and maintenance of the historic Ram Bagh by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), the MC has to remove food kiosks, concrete establishments of children park and zonal offices from the Company Garden. The MC and the ASI recently signed an agreement in this regard.

However, as per the agreement all three clubs, including Lumsden Club, Amritsar Club and Service Club, running inside the garden would be shifted to other places. But there is a condition to provide alternative space to the clubs. The MC agreed to not extend the lease period of the clubs more than five years. Meanwhile, the agreement reads immediate shift of kiosks and offices from the garden. No commercial activity is allowed in the garden.

While the petitioner in the case, the Amritsar Vikas Manch has demanded immediate shift of the clubs and other establishments from the Garden. Principal Kulwant Singh Anakhi of the Amritsar Vikas Manch said, “The lease of clubs has been over. Now there should be no condition of five-year lease.”

The MC would remain custodian of the garden but the restoration of the heritage would be done under ASI. The agreement has been submitted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Vinod Singh Rawat of the Archeological Survey of India said, “We have issued notices to the district administration several times to remove the clubs, offices, kiosks and other infrastructure from the garden. The officials never show concern. Now we have signed this agreement with the MC and submitted in the court. Hopefully, the authorities will remove the kiosks and other establishments soon.