Ludhiana: Those who happen to wander into the gnarled branches and weeds overrunning the area along Buddha Dariya in Kundanpuri often find their courage failing, particularly at night. The murky waters form en eerie backdrop for the near complete desolation. There is nothing to suggest this is a green belt, that too one developed with much fanfare. When the place was developed, the message from authorities was clear — that the bealeagured Buddha Dariya was being taken seriously at last. Criticism about the poor state of the drain had poured in from all quarters and a picturesque green belt was exactly what was needed, or so it seemed.
The move soon fell flat. Civic officials left the green belt to the elements, contending that its maintenance was the responsibility of the horticulture branch, which, in turn, cited shortage of staff for lack of action on the ground. The opposition was quick to call the authorities out. They questioned the rationale of having plantation, fancy lighting and benches for visitors, when the waters nearby still reeked. They also pointed out that the green belt had been developed on a busy stretch, which was hardly a place for visitors to sit back and relax. The saving grace is that the saplings planted back then have grown into tall trees. Former councillor Parminder Mehta accused civic officials of wasting money by letting infrastructure gather dust. He added that people would have liked to visit the green belt if the drain had been cleaned first. Ex-councillor and senior Congress leader, Jaiparkash, said, “I am surprised at the condition of the green belt. What is the point of fixing benches in a filthy atmosphere? Authorities who developed the green belt should also have arranged staff to manage it.” Meanwhile, junior engineer of the horticulture branch, Kripal Singh, said, “We plan to hand work over to a firm which can maintain it and keep it clean for public use. The plants we sowed are fully grown now.” MSID:: 128256508 413 |
