Chandigarh gets Rs.5 crore to light up Rock Garden
By IANSSaturday, January 29, 2011
CHANDIGARH - Chandigarh’s famed Rock Garden will now be illuminated. The union tourism ministry has given a Rs.5 crore grant to illuminate the garden, a major tourist attraction, and promote night tourism in the city, an official said Saturday.
Rock Garden, which showcases art objects in various forms and designs, made from industrial and urban scrap, is spread over 20 acres in Sector 1.
The garden was created by Chandigarh resident Nek Chand over three decades ago.
Nek Chand toiled for years in a forested area of the city in the 1960s and 70s to create the wonder garden from broken plugs, switches, tubelights, bangles, crockery, wash basins, marbles and other discarded items.
“We have got Rs.5 crore grant from the central government for the illumination of the Rock Garden. It is proposed to illuminate the garden so as to make it a special attraction for the tourists. It would also promote night tourism in the city,” said Ram Niwas, home-cum-tourism secretary.
He added: “Unique art work shall be highlighted through special lighting effects. At present, there are no activities during the evening hours. Illumination of the garden shall attract a large number of foreign and domestic tourists to this spot in the late hours.”
