Forgotten hero, forgotten garden: City’s Chattar Singh Park

In the heart of Model Town lies a park that few recognise for its true significance. Named after Shaheed Chattar Singh Dhadhli, a cadet of the Third Punjab Battalion, NCC, who laid down his life on January 2, 1954, during excavation work on Ludhiana-Dhuri railway line, it was meant to honour his sacrifice.

Today, however, it lies in neglect — overrun by wild grass, garbage and rodents, with barely any signage to tell its story. Iron fences are broken at different places, making it easier for stray animals to enter the park. Footpaths are badly damaged. Against the directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT), dry leaves and waste are burnt here.

The bust of Chattar Singh has been installed in a corner of the park, but the authorities concerned have failed to maintain cleanliness.

Social activist Arvind Sharma recently wrote to the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, urging the authorities concerned to restore the park’s identity and dignity. “It’s heartbreaking that a space meant to honour a martyr has been reduced to a dumping ground. Even Google map doesn’t recognise it by name. This is not just administrative apathy — it’s a failure to preserve history,” Sharma said.

Residents echo the same concern. “The stench is unbearable, especially during the monsoon,” said Sunita Rani, a local homemaker. “There are rats everywhere, and the garbage piles remain there for days. It’s unsafe for children and unpleasant for everyone.” Another resident, Harpal Singh, added that, “We’ve stopped using the park. It’s no longer a place to relax — it’s a health hazard.”

Once a place of community gathering, the park has lost its charm. “In the 1980s, people used to come here for morning walks, and children played till sunset,” recalled 82-year-old Joginder Lal, a local resident. “Now, it’s deserted. The monument inside is barely visible through the overgrowth.”

Ironically, the park was once known as the “protest park”, where unions and organisations assembled before marching to the DC office. Yet, despite its public visibility, its historical importance remains hidden.

Sharma’s appeal calls for the park’s name to be officially updated on digital platforms, proper maintenance of the monument and installation of informative signage. “We owe it to our heroes, and should remember them not just in textbooks, but in the spaces built to honour them,” he said.

“As Ludhiana grows, we hope that the city doesn’t forget the sacrifices that shaped its history — and that Chhattar Singh Park will once again become a place of pride, not neglect,” adds senior citizen Gurbaksh Singh.

Who was Chhatar Singh?

A student of Arya College, Chattar Singh was a cadet of 3rd Punjab Battalion of the NCC. He died in 1954 while rendering services for an excavation project near the Ludhiana-Dhuri railway line. He lost his life while helping his fellow cadet in digging a pit when the earth caved in due to vibrations caused by a train. He got buried there.