Rs 6 cr project to be ready by March 2017, will accommodate 20,000 people

The new spectators’ gallery in Attari. Photo: vishal kumar

GS Paul

Tribune News Service,Amritsar, January 27

The spectators’ gallery at the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post (JCP) is being redesigned not only to expand its capacity but to raise the sitting pedestals’ height to provide a better viewing angle to watch the flag-lowering Retreat ceremony between the two border forces of India and Pakistan. The ‘Swarn Jyanti’ dwar (gate) is also being dismantled for a fresh structure.In the wake of the revamp, scores of people throng the spot, especially during weekends. The existing gallery can accommodate 5,000 people and has been partially dismantled to pave way for the new one meant for 20,000 visitors.The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which is undertaking the project, has targeted to execute it within 13 months. The work is being carried out in a phased manner so that the lowering of the flags ceremony, which attracts thousands of tourists daily, doesn’t get affected.Officials said the project had commenced in May 2015 after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh laid its foundation stone on March 22, 2015.Sumer Singh, BSF DIG, Amritsar Sector, said the expansion of gallery would be readied by March 2017. “The work is on war footing. It will cost around Rs 6 crore. Special emphasis is on giving the gallery a curve so that people sitting at the last get better viewing angle. Normally, over 15,000 people visit the spot daily,” he said.However, once executed, it will also be a big relief for the BSF too. The extraordinary rush at the check-post is no less a headache for the on-duty jawans who virtually struggle to accommodate people. Sometimes, they have to remove the chairs to accommodate the visitors while being standing. The construction underway for new gallery had also reduced the sitting capacity. Consequently, a large number of tourists had to return without being able to see the ceremony.On their part, the BSF authorities have put up an LED screen at the ‘Swarn Jayanti’ dwar so that tourists, who could not sit inside the gallery, should at least watch the ceremony on the screen.Another added attraction would be the museum coming up parallel to this project. It has been learnt that this museum would depict the glorious history of Border Security Force (BSF), its achievements, weapons and other related aspects.