Structural survey of Rock Garden recommended

Tribune news Service

Chandigarh, June 23

The UT Administration should get a detailed survey of the Rock Garden structures, especially those constructed more than four decades ago, done to ensure safety and durability. This was suggested by John Maizels, chief of the Nek Chand Foundation, to UT Adviser Vijay Kumar Dev at a meeting today.

The meeting was held to discuss the measure to be taken for the maintenance of the Rock Garden.

Referring to the decades-old structures, John suggested that as these were made of concrete, it was necessary to monitor the condition of the structures so that any untoward incident could be prevented.

He said during the survey, experts should carry out the structural inspection to gauge the potential problems and building defects. The UT Adviser assured Maizels that the authorities would ensure that the survey was carried out as advised by him.

Another issue raised at the meeting was the deployment of the security force at the Rock Garden as a few visitors turn up at the garden of art and utilise it as a picnic spot. Maizels said due to the lack of proper security, many a times it was found that the visitors climb up the structures to get their pictures clicked.

In fact, a number of visitors enjoy hard drinks and smoking at the Rock Garden. He demanded tight security arrangements for its proper maintenance and preservation. Besides, he also discussed the deployment of the staff for the cleanliness of the Rock Garden.

John said the foundation was focusing on the completion of the structures in the phase III of the garden and also planned to open an exit point in that phase for the visitors. He said on the basis of the report of the structural surbey, the foundation would formulate a plan for the re-development of the some of the areas at the Rock Garden, if required.