TDCP to reopen Kanhati Gardens for public

Tourist attraction was closed down two years ago

KHUSHAB:

Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) has taken steps to reopen Kanhati Gardens for tourists and the general public.

The gardens have been closed for the public for two years.

A social figure of the area, Malik Iqbal Awan, told The Express Tribune that reopening the site is a good initiative which will create jobs for the locals and also generate revenue for the government.

Kanhati Gardens attracted a lot of people for enjoyment, but the beautiful area is deprived of electricity.

Until two years ago, Kanhati Gardens and rest house were supplied electricity from a hydroelectric plant but after the breakdown of the system, the government has not taken any steps to provide supply from WAPDA. Now the area is plunged into darkness as evening falls.

Muhammad Bilal, a local, said that the employees and labourers working in Kanhati Garden and rest house are hired from other areas and the people of Kanhati are ignored, which is unfair. Therefore, the rights of the local people should be taken care of and they should be given as many jobs as possible.

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Applications are being received for bidding for various shops in Kanhati Bagh with a security fee of Rs30,000 but the charge of Rs1,000 per application is questionable. Only a security deposit should be charged for transparency of the bidding.

Another local resident, Khalid Mahmood, said, “Kanhati Gardens and Kanhati Rest House generated a lot of revenue for the government but the government does not spend anything on their development, infrastructure and basic necessities.”

According to a newly appointed TDCP official, Irfan Amir, “The corporation is opening the rest house and Kanhati Gardens for tourists and the public from February 15. The tourist spot had not been operational for two years. However, the booking of the rest house is still closed. We do not have electricity but top officials plan to complete the arrangements in February, for which practical steps have been taken. My posting is also part of these measures.”

“There are two rooms in the rest house. Apart from the rest house, accommodation can also be provided through camping. Our organisation is working for the promotion of tourism,” Amir added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2021.