Encroachments halt project to revive Chahar Bagh

Charanjit Singh Teja

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 24

The work to revive the Chahar Bagh, a quadrilateral garden around the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Ram Bagh (Company Bagh), has been halted as the path connecting the historic watchtowers of the palace is not clear. The clubs, buildings, tennis courts of other occupants are a hurdle in the work.

The Municipal Corporation (MC), in agreement with the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), had submitted before the court a few months ago that the civic body was the custodian of the 84-acre land of Company Garden. As per the agreement, the three clubs, including Lumsden Club, Amritsar Club and Service Club, running inside the garden have to be shifted to some other place.

The court had given directions to remove the concrete structures and encroachments from the garden. However, the MC did not make any effort to remove the encroachments or structure till date.

Moreover, the clubs and other encroachers are continuously grabbing more parks and land to enhance their enclosures.

An ASI official, seeking anonymity, said the office had been writing for years to the Deputy Commissioner regarding the removal of the clubs, but no action was taken. It has been learnt that out of the 84-acre garden, more than 60-acre land is being controlled by private players. Only two parks of less than 10-acre are open for the public.

Conservation experts, associated with the Chahar Bagh project, also want the removal of the clubs and other encroachers for the completion of the revival work.

Gurmeet Rai, conservation expert, said, “The historic garden should be free from encroachments. The clubs should be shifted out for the revival of the Chahar Bagh.”

Charanjit Singh Gumtala of the Amritsar Vikas Manch said the garden was one of the most important heritage monuments of the city. The administration should not allow private persons to encroach the land. It should be preserved and open for the public.”