Golden Temple’s galiara, a picture of complete neglect
AMRITSAR: Poor upkeep of Golden Temple’s galiara (the outer corridor) not only mars its sheen, but also paints a picture of utter neglect.
Though the state and central governments have spent a huge amount of money on the ‘Galiara Project’ to beautify the peripheries of the holy shrine, yet its dilapidated and unsanitary conditions reveal the reality of the claims made by the Amritsar Development Authority’s (ADA) officials.
As per the temple authorities, over one lakh devotees pay obeisance at the Golden Temple daily.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Started in 1988, the Galiara Project aimed at decongesting the localities in the immediate vicinity of the Golden Temple complex. The project includes beautification of the surroundings of the temple as the galiara is the entrance to two of the shrine gates.
Due to lack of maintenance, the green belts in the vicinity of the galiara have dried up and heaps of garbage and broken tiles are a common sight. Besides it also lacks water and toilet facilities.
The musical fountain at the galiara, which was inaugurated by then deputy commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu in 2005, is lying defunct for years. It was installed at a cost of ₹1 crore. The lackadaisical approach of the authorities does not end here, they do not even bother to get the stagnant water in the fountain cleared. It has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and stink as well.
“The galiara is losing its importance due to poor upkeep. Despite tourists, devotees, morning and evening walkers throng the place, even then the authorities have turned a blind eye towards its cleanliness.The surroundings of galiara have been commercialised and encroached by the public. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) should intervene to maintain proper cleanliness in the temple complex and its surroundings,” said Kulwant Singh Ankhi, a social worker.
Pushpinder Kaur, a local resident, said, “The authorities have failed to maintain the serenity of the area. Not only this, stray dog in the galiara is another reason of concern. In 2004, Manmohan Singh had granted ₹70 crore for the project, but it seems to be a total waste.”
“The government had installed the fountains after spending crores of rupees, but what is the fun of it, if they cannot maintain it,” she questions.
“The heritage street is beautiful, but the other side of shrine (galiara) is the opposite. The officials should also maintain greenery in the complex,” said Harry, a tourist.
Tajinder Pal Sandhu, chief administrative officer of the ADA, said, “The cleanliness project of galiara was given to an NGO. However, due their faulty working and prevailing unsanitary conditions, we will hire new sweepers. Security guards will also be deployed here in order to keep a check on miscreants, besides the broken tiles will be repaired soon.”