NURMAHAL
Encroachments upon the approach road to Nurmahal Sarai, a protected monument have turned very ugly these days.
Heaps of garbage are causing frustration among residents.
Street vendors and shopkeepers have made this approach road dumping grounds for waste.
Stray animals are seen searching waste for something to eat.
Residents say that although many visitors come to see historic monuments every day, the Municipal Council (NC authorities) has taken no action to address the growing health and environmental risks posed by the garbage piled up here.
The MC had passed a unanimous resolution to protect the Nurmahal Serai, but it is reluctant to clear the encroachments on the approach road under political pressure.
Some shopkeepers selling building materials have blatantly placed hardware materials in front of their shops.
Temporary stalls serve eatables to people who park their vehicles in front of the Lahori Gate.
Pickup vehicles and auto-rickshaw drivers have made the approach road their permanent stand. Residents have repeatedly asked the director general of the Archaeological Survey of India to remove unauthorized parking encroachments on the approach road. They have even brought this problem to the notice of the Union cultural minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the President of India.
The municipal council (MC) removed girders to regulate traffic on it in 2015. These girders were installed when the approach road was declared a traffic zone following an order passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. But after some time, the MC removed iron ropes from these girders, which regulated traffic from 9 am to 6 pm.
Residents said garbage tarnished the image of the Historic city,
In their SMS to the Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Doctor Himanshu Aggarwal, residents requested immediate action to address the issue.