|
Now roundabouts bear hoarding brunt |
|
|
|
|
Written by P.K. Jaiswar, Tribune News, Amritsar
|
|
Saturday, 24 November 2007 |
 Hoarding bane is not new to holy city. Despite the blanket ban by the Supreme Court and Punjab and Haryana High Court it goes on with impunity dotting the city’s every nook and corner. Even the green belts and footpaths have not been spared by leaders of political parties who have put up these hoardings with their pictures for only highlighting themselves on pretext of ‘showing solidarity’ with their immediate political bosses for their vested political interests.
Their latest victims are roundabouts which usually provide beautiful picturesque enhancing the attractiveness of a city. But these roundabouts are now noosed from every side showcasing the faces of political leaders or advertisings mocking at the residents and tourists while the municipal corporation pays little or no attention at all.
Recently, the mayor had stated that no such hoardings would be put up on the roundabouts, but nothing has been done so far for the reasons best known to him and it was an irony that these political leaders was unable to conform to rules and regulations due to their selfish interests. Hall gate, Dr Kitchlu Chowk (Kechahri chowk), New Rialto Chowk etc were glaring example to this.
Earlier, the unipoles were erected on footpaths and greenbelts to put up hoardings, now even bamboo sticks were used for erecting hoardings causing great inconvenience to the residents and pedestrians besides endangering their lives in case of accidental falls, says Jaswant Singh, a resident of the city. “A little function in the city or coming of a delegate is enough for providing excuse to councilors or even ‘mohalla pardhans’ (local area presidents) to make their presence felt through these hoardings besides pleasing their masters,” he added.
The city has virtually turned from ‘Sifti Da Ghar’ (land of values) to ‘Ishtiara De Ghar’ (city of advertisements), thanks to the apathy of the municipal corporation and indifferent attitude of powers that be.
Prahlad Kaul, a visitor from Pune talking to the Amritsar Plus says he was shocked to see the pitiable condition of the city of Golden Temple, which has surpassed many sites in the world to become one of the largest visiting places. He says it had just opposite to what he had dreamt of about the city before coming here. He said the authorities should take this issue seriously otherwise it would be a nightmare of the tourists and the day was not far when the city would witness decreasing number of visitor coming to pay their obeisance at Darbar Sahib.
| Comments () >> |
 |
| Write comment |
| You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet. |
 |
