Fix responsibility for upkeep of green belts, demand residents

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 13

After Amritsar Smart City Limited (ASCL) inaugurated development and beautification projects under the elevated road at an investment of Rs 12.50 crore, city residents demand fixing of responsibility as previous green belts vanished at the same place for want of proper upkeep.

Once lush green vegetation under the elevated road used to welcome visitors coming from the Jalandhar side.

Plants perished at many patches of the green belt as these were utilised to dump abandoned streetlight poles and other material. Now, many people started residing and selling merchandise at the place.

Kulwant Singh Ankhi, a retired principal, living close to the elevated road said irregular care had taken toll of green belt. Otherwise, green leafy vegetation was a treat to behold amidst the maddening rush of traffic on the road.

Those green belts were established on the vacant spaces under the elevated road by horticulture wing of the PWD (B&R) about four years ago. Attractive plants like bamboo, ficus, hedge, palm etc. were planted along with grassy spaces.

All of a sudden they withered away as these were not properly maintained after the ASCL had taken over it.

Prof Mohan Singh said neither the plants were washed nor watered. Dust and carbon particles emitted by umpteen number of vehicles got deposited on the leaves of the plants causing blockage of their stomata.

Due to the blockage of stomata the leaves were unable to breath and the process of photosynthesis was stalled causing their death.

So, they asked the authorities to make necessary arrangements to maintain the development and beautification projects proposed under the elevated road.

As per the proposed plan, colourful lights, vehicles parking, rehree zones and solar panels on BRTS stations, planting of saplings with investment of Rs 12.50 crore will be carried out by the ASCL.

ASCL officials said a private concern would build, maintain and manage the facilities for the next three years.