Clock Tower faces neglect

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

Ludhiana, September 26

Though World Tourism Day is being celebrated in different parts of the world, tourist spots in the city are in a state of neglect, thanks to the apathy of the authorities concerned.

Even the Clock Tower, which is prime landmark of the city and was built in 1906, continues to be in a poor state. Instead of landscaping and beautifying the space around the tower, the Municipal Corporation, which is supposed to maintain the tower, continue to turn a blind eye to the rampant encroachment around it.

Even the access to the Tourist Information Office, which is housed in the building, remains restricted, thanks to encroachment.

When asked, Pawandeep Singh, District Tourism Officer, said though a sweeper clean the area, once the tourism office was closed, which was housed in the tower, the area was littered with garbage. Every day it needed a thorough cleaning, he added.

People often jump over the closed gate and sleep there at night. Cocking a snook at the authorities, a hoarding was tied to the fence grill and encroachers even hang their bags on the grills.

Though stones are kept on the road to prevent encroachment of even the entrance of the Tourism Office, illegal signage of a hotel is installed alongside. Even the signage of the tourism office remains unseen around the mess.

Residents say the Clock Tower is the most iconic monument of the city, yet its condition is very poor. “The hands of the clock lying dysfunctional speak volumes about the careless attitude of the authorities concerned,” said Amit Sharma, a resident.

“The history of such monuments in the district should be written here to keep tourists informed about the heritage. The fact that it is more than a century-old building is great, but not many people know about it, even though thousands of people pass through it every day,” Harjit Singh, another resident said.

Residents say that it is difficult to spot the Tourist Information office here. “Thanks to the mess around, one can easily miss seeing the signage with the name of District Tourism Office. The authorities must look into it,” said Yuvraj, a passerby.