Indian Express 25.01.2010
Pillars raised for freedom fighters lie neglected, MC plans another for martyrs
Stray dogs loitering around, absence of any lightening system and lack of maintenance — this is the condition of the pillars constructed in the memory of freedom fighters.
The three pillars at Leisure Valley, Sector 10, have names of freedom fighters engraved on them. Considering their neglected state, a visitor might even fail to notice them.
While the UT Administration is planning to spend crores on illuminating the Capitol Complex, which is not even accessible without permission, these pillars do not have basic lights. Every night, the pillars and the surrounding area are engulfed in darkness.
Recently, a team comprising Mayor Anu Chatrath, UT Chief Architect Sumit Kaur, councillor Brig K S Chandpuri (Retd) and other officials visited the monument.
“There is a need to erect grills around the monument and it needs to be better maintained,” Chandpuri said
The team decided that lights would be installed in the area and arrangements would be made to keep stray dogs away. But till these plans materialise, the monument will continue to lie neglected.
The Municipal Corporation is, meanwhile, planning to set up a pillar with names of martyrs from Chandigarh engraved on it.
The drawings have been submitted to the Chief Architect. Flaws noticed in the three existing pillars have been removed from the drawings.
Chatrath said if the drawings are approved by the Chief Architect, the foundation stone would be laid in the Terraced Garden on the Republic Day.
