Chappar Chiri cries for attention, but who cares?

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 15

Even after the one month of announcement made by the Punjab’s tourism minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu, over development of facilities for tourists at Baba Banda Singh Memorial along with overhauling of approaching roads to it at historic village Chappar Chiri, nothing substantial has been done to change the site.

Notably, during his visit at the Fateh Burj on January 14, Sidhu had announced that repair work of the roads would be started soon. The minister had also announced Rs 24 lakh for the development of the place to facilitate tourists and re-carpeting of the approach roads to the tower.

The Chandigarh Tribune found that the condition of the approaching roads to the tower from Mohali side was miserable.

The roads had huge potholes and were filled with water. At several places, the gravel were found missing. Waterlogging was also a problem for the visitors due to the overnight rain.

“These huge pits and broken roads cause accidents and damage vehicles every now and then. The difficulties aggravate during rainy days”, said Kuldeep Singh, a local resident.

“Most of the visitors want to go to top of the tower but the GMADA has failed to install a lift here. The previous government had announced to play regular light and sound shows at the site to attract tourists. No such shows are being played here. Even there is no regular maintenance at the site”, said a staff member at the site adding that in absence of canteen, there were no arrangement of snacks at the site.