Green spaces that are nobody's envy

With a constant unshaven look, how will the city's face glitter as Paris in two years? The city's green zones have bald patches between unkempt expanses. When it needs to prune roadside plants (traffic hurdles), the horticulture department of the municipal corporation only cuts a sorry figure on finance.

With a constant unshaven look, how will the city's face glitter as Paris in two years?

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The city's green zones have bald patches between unkempt expanses. When it needs to prune roadside plants (traffic hurdles), the horticulture department of the municipal corporation only cuts a sorry figure on finance. The heaps of garbage beneath the elevated road attract stray cattle, yet no metal cage protects a few saplings that remain on the divider.

The leaders who claim to be turning Amritsar into green city should drive on the GT Road from the railway station to Putli Ghar and see if they can spot a tree, or they should drive from Hathi Gate to Bhagta Wala Gate, and avoid the overgrown branches that dangle over roads.

Ranjit Avenue, city's "best" residential and commercial area, is no better. The green belt on its Gurudwara Wali Gali road has untrimmed bushes that make it arduous for two-wheelers to cross the section safely. At night, the uncombed trees block streetlight.

Meant for beautification, the parks in the market area of Block "B" of Ranjit Avenue have turned eyesores for shopkeepers. Filled with weeds and slush, these aren't the places to sit and relax. There's no problem, however, if you don't fear rats and snakes.