Hoardings mar ‘golden entrance’ to Amritsar

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 11

Not caring two hoots about retaining the aesthetic value of the dome-shaped ‘golden entrance’ to the holy city on GT road from the Jalandhar side, politicians have installed hoardings and buntings over its pillars.

While it leaves a bad impression on visitors, aware citizens too are irked at the phenomenon.

A citizen, Kulwant Singh, said, “If the government fails to check the trend of installing signboards on the columns over which the dome stands, the entire facade will be ruined. Its beauty will be marred.” He added that the administration must act before further damage was done.

Another resident, Prof Mohan Singh (retd), who resides on the same road, lamented inept handling and maintenance of the golden dome-shaped gate. He recalled that it took nearly three years and around Rs 7.5 crore to raise the entrance gate. Now, it had been left unattended. “If such treatment was to be given to it, then what was the purpose of raising the gate?” he asked.

He recalled that commuters on the stretch have had to face huge traffic jams.

Dr Balvinder Singh, adviser to the Indian Heritage Cities Network (IHCN), said, “If hoardings are installed on the gate, it presents a shabby look to he visitors and the entire concept of maintaining a beautiful facade is jeopardised. There is a need to create awareness among people and there should be a strict implementation of rules”.