Daily Times

LAHORE: Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Samadhi of Ranjeet Singh and Rohani Gate are losing their grandeur due to ongoing work on a langarkhan (almonry) inside the Gurdwara Dera Sahib to accommodate the increasing number of Sikh pilgrims, Daily Times has learnt.

According to sources, the langarkhana is being built within 200 feet radius of the three monuments, which is a violation of Punjab Special Premises (Preservation), Ordinance, 1985, and it is being feared that that the new construction will somehow hide the façade of Samadhi of Ranjeet Sindh and affect the ambience of the gurdwara along with the main entrance to Roshnai Gate.

When contacted, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Shrines Department Deputy Secretary Imran Gondal said that a langarkhana was being constructed to accommodate the increasing number of Sikh pilgrims. “The existing langarkhana can’t accommodate the desired footfall of pilgrims and also it was in a dilapidated condition could become an unsafe structure in the near future,” he said. He added that the langarkhana would not affect the view of Samadhi as it was slightly away from it. He said that the ETPB was a federal department and has had the authority to make such decisions.

On the contrary, sources said that ongoing construction would hamper the original entrance to the Samadhi and view of the only existing Mughal-era Roshnai Gate. They said that an alternative entrance had been given to go up to the Samadhi of Ranjeet Singh because of the deep digging next to the main entrance.

An official of the Archaeology Department, wishing to remain unnamed, said that according to the no construction could be carried out with in a vicinity of 200 feet of a heritage declared property or monument according to the Punjab Special Premises (Preservation), Ordinance, 1985. He added that Roshnai Gate was already damaged when Samadhi was built upon it so the new structure would not cause any harm to the gate. He said that the ETPB should have taken on board the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) before commencing work on the new structure.

He added that in a meeting, which was held almost five to six years back, a committee directed the ETPB to build a langarkhana inside the Atiq Stadium, which would have protected both the Gurdwara and Atiq Stadium. “However, the plan was not materialised.”

He added that there should have been a close coordination for any construction between the ETPB, Archaeology Department and the Walled City Lahore Authority. WCLA Planning and Conversation Director Najamus Saqib said that no intimation was given to the authority prior to the start of construction work inside the Gurdwara Dera Sahib.

Published in Daily Times, March 31^st 2018.