Conserve heritage structures to tap tourism potential of city, says educationist

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 4

Dr Balvinder Singh, professor, Guru Ram Das School of Planning, Guru Nanak Dev University, is a noted heritage conservationist and educationist.

A state award winner for the year 2015 for his contribution towards heritage conservation and traffic management, Dr Singh was honoured twice during the district-level Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations in 2001 and 2014, respectively.

He was also given the 'Best teacher' award by the Indian Society for Technical Education. He is also a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee at Shimla.

In a tête-à-tête with The Tribune, he talked about various issues concerning the city, besides development works carried out by the Punjab Government.

Q: As you are known for your love for heritage and its conservation, what is your take on recent development works carried by the state, especially in the Walled City?

Ans: Well, this is beyond doubt that the heritage look and old character of the city have been badly affected by the development works. Old heritage buildings surrounding the Golden Temple were dismantled and replaced by high-rise buildings due to the poor implementation of building bylaws. The old walled city was characterised by narrow roads, but many roads were widened, thereby destroying the old city's character. It was unfortunate that real stakeholders, the people, were never involved while envisaging any development work. Earlier, the beautification of the surroundings of the Golden Temple under the Galliara project was a suicidal step. There was no need for a flyover, which leads to a multi-storey parking, inside the walled city. As per a report published in the National Commission on Urbanisation, 1988, Vol 2, no elevated road and road-widening projects should be carried out in old cities to preserve their character.

Q: What about the recent Heritage Street constructed from Town Hall to Darbar Sahib giving a heritage look?

Ans: Personally, I don’t consider it as a bad option as it has camouflaged the awful look on the approach road to the Sikh shrine. But more of a Rajasthani and an artificial look with western impact has been given to the heritage street. However, it is better than the ugly look presented by the multi-storey parking and Dharam Singh Market. I think the government should now give attention to the conservation of architecturally rich heritage buildings located in the Walled City, especially those surrounding the shrine. This would attract tourists. In fact, there are a large number of heritage structures around the city which should be conserved to tap the tourism potential of the holy city in its true sense.

Q: The construction of the BRTS project has come under criticism by people, what is your take on it.

Ans: I think the BRTS project should have been carried out in a phased manner. There is one shortcoming in it. Instead of construction of a footbridge, zebra crossings would have been a better option. Elderly and physically challenged people would find it difficult to reach the bus terminal. Further, I think before launching this project, the government should look into reasons on why the city bus service has flopped in the city. The project would further led to a parking problem, besides affecting vegetable and fruit vendors. The government should also spare a thought for them.

Q: The traffic chaos in the city is the order of the day. The city police and the district administration have sought your advice a number of times. Why the problem persists?

Ans: Strict implementation of traffic norms is a problem here. People take pride in violating rules and regulations. The traffic police should also give emphasis on regulating the traffic, besides strictly enforcing the law in order to solve the traffic problem. Encroachment is another major hindrance in the smooth flow of traffic. It should be removed. People should become responsible and do not encroach upon public land and roads. We should not always criticise the government and the police for the messy conditions here. As many as 60 to 70 per cent of the problems would be solved on their own if we behave in a responsible manner and realise our duties before demanding for our rights. We should change the attitude of "Saanu Ki".

Q: As you belong to the field of education. What do you think about the current scenario of education in the city?

Ans: In our country, children are studying for only getting degree and not for acquiring knowledge. This is the basic difference between an eastern and a western country. In western countries, children seek knowledge and in the process, they automatically gets degree. With a boom in the Information Technology sector, today children believe in cut, copy and paste from the Internet rather than in-depth research and knowledge. Teachers also lack dedication and motivation. The standard of primary and secondary-level education is also needed to be revamped. The government should also look into this aspect. Otherwise, our children would lag behind.

Q: On the health front, the menace of drug abuse is rampant in the city. What do you think the government should do to end it? Do you think the government is lacking somewhere to address the issue?

Ans: In order to end the menace, the government should deal with those involved in such illegal trade with an iron hand, besides taking adequate measures for rehabilitating addicts. Parents and teachers can play a vital role in this direction. This is a serious problem and every section of society have to play their role to eradicate it.

Q: Coming back on city’s infrastructure. Public parks and green belt in the city had shrunk. Now, there are no playgrounds.

Ans: Yes, there is a need to have more green belts and playgrounds in the city. If there is any, it is encroached upon. The government should create more such space and remove encroachments from public parks. It will help in the overall grooming of youth and children. Nowadays, youngsters don't like to play due to a sedentary lifestyle and Internet addiction.