HARIDWAR: The district administration of Haridwar has drawn up an ambitious plan with funds of around Rs 500 crore for beautification of the holy city. As part of the drive, the town’s ghats and other public places will be painted and spruced up. However, the move has evoked diverse reaction with many residents saying that before beautification, the focus should be on making the city cleaner. A resident said, “The administration has perhaps forgotten that the city lacks basic facilities such as public toilets both for its residents and pilgrims. This should be the priority and measures should also be taken to check littering rather than spending crores in beautification.”Meanwhile, the district magistrate Deepak Rawat recently took some steps to augment the city’s cleanliness. Residents were warned against littering the Har-ki-Pauri, other Ganga ghats and public places.An anti-encroachment drive was launched and the administration also imposed a penalty of Rs 5,000 for urinating in the open. However, people said that the district lacks basic amenities. “If toilets are not built by the road then why should people by fined? asked Rakesh Chandra, a retired executive engineer.Assistant municipal commissioner Sanjai Kumar talking to TOI admitted that “the number of toilets is not enough.” He added that a detailed project report is being prepared for construction of half a dozen toilets, including one near the Chandracharya Chowk. “The number will be increased once more funds are available,” he said.

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