Ludhiana: A year-long plan to rejuvenate the city’s iconic Nehru Rose Garden remains stuck at the tendering stage, bogged down by corruption allegations, shifting budgets, and legal battles.The project, funded by the Smart City Mission, has seen its estimated cost slashed three times: from an initial Rs 8.8 crore to Rs 8.4 crore, and now to Rs 7.8 crore. Despite the fast-approaching March 31 deadline for Smart City funds, no ground has been broken.
A Project Mired in ControversyThe redevelopment gained notoriety following the arrest of a superintending engineer (SE) by the vigilance bureau. The senior official was allegedly caught in a leaked audio clip demanding a 10% commission from a contractor to secure the tender. The project’s timeline has been a series of setbacks.In Dec 2024, the first tender opened but was scrapped following allegations of collusion during the model code of conduct for the elections. Second attempt was scuttled after the bribery scandal surfaced and a petition was filed in the Punjab and Haryana high court. Officials have floated a third tender after revising the estimates downward.The Botanical VisionIf the project ever clears the bureaucratic hurdle, the municipal corporation (MC) plans to introduce a diverse “green lung” to the city, with new trees and specialty roses. With the Smart City Mission deadline looming, executive engineer Balwinder Singh stated that funds will be “transferred” to ensure the work can proceed even if the mission expires. “The tender is now floated after revision; work will begin once a contractor is finalised,” he said. A resolution to the pending high court petition is also expected during the next hearing, which could finally green-light the botanical upgrade.
