MOHALI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has approved maintenance of the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur memorial at Chappar Chiri, Mohali in public private partnership (PPP) mode. The government has also sanctioned Rs 42 lakh as first instalment for maintenance of the memorial.
The chief minister took the decision during the recent cabinet meeting. Greater Mohali Area Development (GMADA) authorities were instructed to undertake maintenance works.
Ever since it was inaugurated in November 2011, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial at Chappar Chiri, Mohali has been in urgent need of maintenance. The lone lift installed at Fateh Burj, tallest minar (tower) in the country, is yet to be made functional.
In 2017, the memorial was illuminated with flashlights falling on Fateh Burj but this was discontinued after a few months. Later, maintenance work was stalled by the Covid pandemic.
Installation of the lift at Fateh Burj was announced during inauguration of the memorial 11 years ago. However, it was beset by technical flaws as it was oversized. The lift was installed but not made functional.
At 103 metres tall, the Fateh Burj at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur memorial is the tallest victory tower in the country. It is dedicated to the establishment of the Sikh Misls in 1711. The lift has been installed to take visitors to the third floor of the tower, from where they can have a view of the memorial.
Besides the memorial, the road circling it is also dilapidated to such an extent that it has become non-motorable.
