Historic Guru Ki Wadali left in the lurch by MC

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 28

Guru Ki Wadali holds a significant place in the history of Sikhism because it is the birth place of the sixth Sikh master, Guru Hargobind Singh, while the fifth Sikh master, Guru Arjun Dev, also stayed here.

Ideally, the area, which is 7 km west of the holy city, should have been developed as a major religious and tourist place. However, this could not happen due to the visionless approach of consecutive governments and the civic authorities.

The situation has become worse since the work of laying sewerage in the area was commenced around two years ago, but it is nowhere near completion. Due to dug up roads, mounds of dirt can be seen in the area. The drains are chocked and dirty water spills on the streets, causing foul smell.

In several areas, it has entered residential complexes. The threat of an outbreak of some disease looms large because the stagnant dirty water has become a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Bawa Singh, a karyana store owner, said, “Our trade has been badly hit due to dug up roads and stagnant water in the area. It’s been one and a half years since the work of laying sewerage pipes was started by the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board under JICA project. A number of shops had to be shut down due to dwindling business.”

Joint Commissioner Surinder Singh said he would personally visit the area and take a look at the problems faced by the residents. He said necessary steps would be taken to address their woes.

Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, during the budget meeting of the MC, said the MC had received Rs 141 crore for the overall development of the West Assembly constituency, where the area falls.