A public park located at Katra Moti Ram near Hathi Gate in the walled city is suffering from neglect and deteriorating infrastructure, leaving local residents upset over poor maintenance by the administration.
Tikoni Park, which was once developed as a recreational space for residents, is now in a deplorable condition. Broken footpaths, defunct fountains, heaps of garbage, and overgrown wild grass have become common sights inside the park. Residents alleged that no serious efforts are being made by the civic body authorities for its upkeep and maintenance.
Ironically, the park still displays several inauguration plaques installed by political leaders over the years, highlighting various development and beautification projects. However, residents claim that very little of the promised development is visible on the ground.
In 2010, senior BJP leader Laxmi Kanta Chawla had inaugurated development works for the park and the commemorative stone installed at that time still stands there. Similarly, former Rajya Sabha MP and BJP leader Shwait Malik had inaugurated an open-air gym in the park, with the inauguration plaque still visible at the site.
Apart from this, Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Om Prakash Soni, along with councillor Vikas Soni, had inaugurated renovation works in the park in 2022.
Local resident Rakesh Kumar said that while boards highlighting works undertaken by different governments and leaders continue to stand inside the park, the actual development is nowhere to be seen. He pointed out that the fountains installed in the park are lying defunct, while the pathways have been badly damaged.
Another resident, Raj Rani, who regularly visits the park for morning and evening walks, said the overgrown grass has increased the risk of snakes, stray dogs, and rodents inside the park. She demanded that the Amritsar Municipal Corporation immediately make proper arrangements for the park’s maintenance and cleanliness.