Revamped spectators’ gallery at Attari to offer comfortable view : The Tribune India

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Revamped spectators’ gallery at Attari to offer comfortable view

ATTARI: Watching the 25-minute Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah Joint check-post (JPC) will be a different experience from Wednesday onwards.

Revamped spectators’ gallery at Attari to offer comfortable view

The revamped spectators’ gallery at the Attari-Wagah joint check-post. Photo: Vishal Kumar



GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Attari, September 25

Watching the 25-minute Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah Joint check-post (JPC) will be a different experience from Wednesday onwards.

The Director General, BSF, KK Sharma, will inaugurate the expanded version of the spectators’ gallery at the Attari-Wagah JPC on Wednesday.

The revamped gallery offers a comfortable view with its enhanced seating arrangement in a horseshoe shape.

Recently, new gates were installed on both sides of the border to enable the viewers to have a clear glimpse of the ceremony.

Now, the 80-ft Swarn Jyanti Dwar welcomes the visitors. A milestone has been placed near it with “Pakistan Next Step” written on it.

Looking at the ever-growing number of visitors, the Ministry of Home Affairs had sanctioned this project in 2015. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had laid its foundation stone on March 22, 2015, coinciding with the golden jubilee celebrations of the raising of the BSF.

BSF DIG JS Oberoi said earlier, the capacity of the visitors’ gallery was just 5,000 whereas over 10,000 people used to gather on a daily basis. “On special days or weekends, the numbers used to shoot up to 15,000-18,000 and it was difficult for us to accommodate them. So the leftover crowd had to contend by just watching the ceremony on giant screens installed outside. Now, at least 20,000 persons can be accommodated at ease,” he added. 

Former Superintending Engineer of the CPWD Nand Lal, under whose supervision the new gallery came up, said it cost around Rs 37 crore, including the new gate. He said It included a conference hall with the latest equipment, lounges, dining space, suites, medical room, public conveniences for men, women and disabled, ample parking area and a control room, along with a sound system, for proper acoustics and a network of CCTV cameras. 

“The project has been carried out in five phases and completed in three years and four months despite several constraints. It is a tall and vast structure having fort like architectural features designed by an in-house CPWD team. Even the gate was designed by our team. The sitting steps have been provided flooring with the combination of traditional red and dholepur sand stones. We have also provided a provision for rainwater harvesting, besides a dedicated substation with power back up, audio-video conferencing system, automatic fire alarm and fire-fighting system and energy efficient LED lights,” he added.  Another added attraction is a museum parallel to the gallery.

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