Jallianwala Bagh Centenary Memorial at Amrit Anand Park crying for attention
Charanjit Singh Teja
Amritsar, July 7
The Jallianwala Bagh Centenary Memorial at Amrit Anand Park in the Ranjeet Avenue area is in a pathetic condition. The memorial was inaugurated almost three years ago on August 15, 2021, by the then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in memory of those who achieved martyrdom in the massacre of April 13, 1919.
Ironically, the memorial park is situated in Ranjit Avenue, a posh locality of the city. It was constructed to make the young generation aware of the country’s history. The names of officially known 488 martyrs are inscribed on the black and grey granite stone walls of the memorial. Stinking sewer water has accumulated under the stones. The incumbent AAP government has failed to maintain the park. — Pawan Sharma, social activist
Due to poor upkeep, floor tiles on pathways in the park have got damaged. Tiles installed on main memorial pillars have fallen. Lights and electric fittings are missing from memorial pillars and stones on which names of martyrs are engraved.
Sewer lines laid in the park show poor craftsmanship and planning of the authorities concerned. When sewer lines get choked manholes overflow and stinking water gets accumulated in the park.
The memorial built at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore is spread over 1.5 acres. Residents avoid visiting the park due to unhygienic conditions.
Ramandeep, a resident said, “Initially, hundreds of residents used to come for walk in the memorial park, but now they avoid to come here. We have never seen tourists or visitors from outside in the park as it is in a poor condition.”
Pawan Sharma, a social activist, said, “Ironically, the memorial park is situated in the Ranjit Avenue, a posh locality of the city. It was constructed to make the young generation aware of the country’s history. The names of officially known 488 martyrs are inscribed on the black and grey granite stone walls of the memorial. Stinking sewer water has accumulated under the stones. The incumbent AAP government has failed to maintain the park.”
