Nehru Shopping Complex in Amritsar cries for immediate official attention

The condition of the first and largest shopping complex developed by the Amritsar Improvement Trust, Nehru Shopping Complex on the Lawrence Road here, is in a state of neglect as garbage can be seen scattered in the open parking area and corridors on the upper floors.

The apathetic attitude of the authorities towards the shopping complex can be gauzed from the fact that the lift installed at the entrance is lying dysfunctional for the last 16 years. Even the fountain, installed by the AAP government nearly a year ago, is lying defunct for the past nine months and has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Shopkeepers complained that they are now stuck here as selling shops here is an uphill task. “Who would want to buy a shop here. Many of the original buyers have already shifted and those who are left are finding it difficult to find a buyer,” said a shopkeeper.

Much to the inconvenience of shopkeepers and customers, the walls of the staircases to upper floors are stained with ‘paan’ spit by people. Shopkeepers say that using these stairs to reach their shops is like they are walking inside the railway station where most walls are stained with ‘paan’.

Further the entrance leading to the basement parking from the Lawrence Road side has been encroached by a junk dealer who stores his goods there. Even the area of the footpath near the place is under this junk dealer’s control.

Shopkeepers say that at the time of selling the shops, the AIT had painted a very rosy picture. They say that now junk dealers who did not pay a single penny, are reaping more benefits than the shop owners.