The waste littered around the toilets says it all.

Though efforts are made to develop Ram Bagh as a tourist destination in order to upswing its fortunes, the visitors to the bagh still face sanitation problems.

Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu visited Ram Bagh earlier this week and after his interaction with morning walkers, he was particularly peeved at lack of proper sanitation in the garden. Most public toilets were either lying closed to public or were non-functional. Sidhu issued directions that the toilets be brought in working condition immediately.

“With hundreds of morning walkers converging on Ram Bagh every day, it is the right place to feel the pulse of the city and I want to make my morning visits there a regular feature. However, I was pained to find that a lot needs to be done to develop the place,” he said.

Talking to The Tribune, Sidhu said he had taken up the matter of restoration of the pristine glory of the garden, which was part of the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He added he had given directions to the municipal corporation for complete landscaping of the sprawling garden.

“I have taken up the issue with the Archaeological Survey of India that the historic buildings located in Ram Bagh, including Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, be spruced up to attract more tourists,” he said.

Ram Bagh, which was got constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh on the pattern of Shalimar Bagh in Lahore, is in a pitiable condition.

The protected monuments in the city include the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Service Club, a bathing tank, a reading room, four watch towers and Baran Dari. The total area is 728 kanal, three marla.

Mayor Shawet Malik and SSP Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh accompanied Sidhu to Ram Bagh. Sidhu also sought deployment of three constables to check haphazard parking inside Ram Bagh.

Malik said the corporation would soon initiate steps for the beautification of the place with plantation of more decorative plants and pruning of trees. It would also be ensured that the staff meant for Ram Bagh was not deputed elsewhere and for this a duty register would be maintained.

“The corporation staff have been given a 15-day deadline for making the garden litter-free, cutting the knee-high grass, making streetlights functional and beautification of the entire area,” said Malik.

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