The much-anticipated upgrade of Ludhiana’s Nehru Rose Garden has faced a delay, with the tender opening date, originally set for February 9, rescheduled to February 16. Fingers crossed, the process will finally move forward tomorrow.
Even as residents await the promised facelift of the city’s iconic “green lung”, questions over cost, accountability and transparency continue to cloud the project.
The estimated cost of the project has been slashed three times, from an initial Rs 8.8 crore to Rs 8.4 crore and recently to Rs 7.8 crore.
Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Prashar has raised objections to the Rs 7.81 crore estimate, calling it “excessive” and urging that the garden’s maintenance be entrusted to local firms under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
“Several companies are already maintaining parks and roundabouts under CSR. Engaging them here would save municipal funds and allow resources to be redirected to ward-level development,” he said.
“Earlier Rs 3.29 crore was earmarked in the tender for horticulture, which has now been reduced to Rs 2.5 crore, but the amount is still too large and needs stronger accountability mechanisms,” said Prashar.
With the March 31 deadline for Smart City funds looming, civic activists warn that further delays could jeopardise the project altogether.
“I have been hearing for a long time about the beautification of the Rose Garden, but it has not started this year. For now, the Rose Garden stands as a symbol of how red tape and mistrust can choke even the most beautiful of dreams. The city waits, hopeful yet weary, for the day when the fragrance of roses replaces the scent of delay,” adds city resident Arjun Mishra.
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