Local architects disapprove structural design of PAU gate

Charanjit Singh Teja

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 1

Some local architects and PAU employees criticised the structural design of under construction gate no 1 of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) at Ferozpur Road.

Sanjay Goel, chairman, Indian Institute of Architect (IIA) Chandigarh–Punjab Chapter, said new gate is not practical.

Sanjay Goel stated that the under construction gate is narrow and failed to depict the grand look of Punjab Agricultural University.

“We all know that the PAU has a big name in the region. When university authorities are going to construct monumental architecture with arc then they have to justify the status of university. Two narrow gates are presenting a narrow look to the university,” said Goel.

The office-bearers of IIA Chd-Pb Chapter told that majority of the local architects are not happy with planning, designing and size of new entrance gate, as one single wide architectural gateway for entry and exit was enough and impressive instead of two narrow passages independently meant for entry and exit.

Sanjay Goel said, “Keeping the grand buildings of PAU in mind these two gates are very congested where farmers visit in large numbers with their tractor and trolleys during Kisan Melas. Keeping the great agricultural background of Punjab as well as PAU one large entrance gate in length, breadth and depth could have been an excellent choice. These kind of architectural marvels meant for city must be designed and approved by best architects in the region.”

Some of the employees also feel that the gate could have single arc instead of two arcs.

However, PAU authorities did not find anything faulty in the design.

Dr Jaskaran Singh Mahal, Estate Officer, PAU said, “The gate has been designed by our internal architecture and engineering units. The space between pillars of the gate is good enough and heavy vehicles including tractor- trolleys can enter without any obstacle. We have another gate on the Ferozpur Road that would be remain in use even after the constriction of this gate. We are constructing this gate as a monument for the visibility of PAU campus on Ferozpur Road. It is a collective decision of university authorities.”