Shakti Sthal in bad shape

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, OCT. 29. Unscrupulous elements make hay at this sacred spot. It is also the favourite hang-out of drug peddlers, stray animals, anti-social elements and, of course, children from the adjoining slum clusters for playing out a game of cricket. This is the sorry state of affairs at Shakti Sthal, the samadhi of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi along the bustling Ring Road.

The place is not only full of unwanted elements but also littered with dirt, garbage, polythene bags and food wrappers left over by visitors to the national monument. Security guards are missing and the gardeners are nowhere to be seen. Probably, the poor plight of the former Prime Minister's samadhi does not seem to move the BJP-led Government. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which comes under the Centre, is incharge of maintenance and care of the Shakti Sthal visited by thousands from all over the country. Interestingly, despite the 17th death anniversary of Indira Gandhi falling on October 31, no effort has been made to restore some semblance of order.

A visit to the Samadhi gives a fair idea of the state of neglect that this place is presently undergoing. The strip leading to the samadhi has been turned into a cricket turf by JJ cluster children who use the huge landmark rock of the Samadhi as wickets. Similarly, for suspicious characters and drug peddlers doing the rounds, it a safe haven for indulging in anti-social activities. Eyewitnesses state that the site turns into a place for the flesh trade as darkness falls. The gardens and boundary walls are in a shambles with the CPWD turning a blind eye.

``I was shocked to see suspicious people lurking around, and children playing cricket on the main strip. The sad and unfortunate situation at Shakti Sthal speaks volumes of the manner in which the BJP-led Government is treating such an important national leader. It is evident that the maintenance was not being given attention and the place is littered. Stray animals have free access and can be seen grazing at any time of the day,'' said the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit.

Ms. Dikshit said she had written to the Union Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ananth Kumar, and in the past to Mr. Jagmohan over the state of Shakti Sthal and even Veer Bhumi, the Samadhi of Rajiv Gandhi. As per the decision of the Union Government, all samadhis of late Prime Ministers and Presidents are being maintained by the CPWD.

The Delhi Government has been entrusted only with organising of functions on their birth and death anniversaries at the samadhis. In fact, Ms. Dikshit had asked the Delhi Urban Development Minister, Dr. A.K. Walia, to inspect the work being done by the CPWD and take appropriate action. Dr. Walia paid a visit to the site on Saturday along with some officials and was appalled by the conditions.

``Samadhis are historical landmarks and are visited by a large number of dignitaries and tourists. These are national monuments and the responsibility of their maintenance and upkeep cannot be overlooked. I have requested the Union Urban Development Minister to issue necessary directions to the concerned departments and officers to ensure that samadhis of national leaders are not neglected,'' Ms. Dikshit added.

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