Political hoardings deface Amritsar's Hathi Gate area

While people and countries across the globe continue to make conscious efforts to preserve, restores, cherish heritage structures, the scenario in the holy city of Amritsar is quite opposite.

The state of heritage structures here tells a different story. For example, the historic 12 gates, some of which were preserved and brought to old glory a couple of years ago, have been defaced with hoardings and posters.

These massive hoardings with political figures of every party tied with the Hathi Gate, one of the 12 historic gates of walled city, are no less than an eyesore. Huge billboards and hoardings came up during the Janmashtami festival. Hardly a thought was spared for the rich heritage value of the gate before putting up these hoardings.

Ironically, the office of AAP MLA Dr Ajay Gutpa is located just in the vicinity of the Hathi Gate. The AAP government came into the power to bring a ‘difference’ in the governance. Nevertheless, it is no different from other parties as it is giving scant regards to rules and regulations.

This is the blatant violation of the Punjab and Haryana High Court orders also.

The 12 historic gates of Amritsar were once part of a fortified wall constructed by the legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh to protect the city. These gateways are: Hall Gate, Hathi Gate, Lahori Gate, Khazana Gate, Hakima Wala Gate, Sultanwind Gate, Chatiwind Gate, Gilwali Gate, Bhagtan Wala Gate, Lohgarh Gate, Mahan Singh Gate and Sheran Wala Gate.

“Hoardings and posters are often put up, defacing the historic gates of the holy city. These gates have over the time become prime locations for affixing advertisements, especially political ones, with the civic body authorities turning a blind eye to this blatant violation and failing to enforce the regulations,” said Manpreet Singh, a heritage lover.

Municipal Corporation Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh said taking a serious view of the hoardings put up at Hathi Gate, the same were removed today and stringent steps are being taken to ensure that such violations are not repeated in the future.