Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Art, Culture and Tourism Kapil Mishra on Tuesday conducted a series of inspections which include Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial at Singhu Border, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Combating Climate Change in Village Bakoli and the road stretch at NH-1 near the Bhalswa landfill.
The inspection drive began with a joint visit to the Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial by Sirsa and Minister of Art, Culture and Tourism Kapil Mishra. Spanning 11.87 acres along National Highway-1, the memorial near Singhu Border is dedicated to the supreme sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of Sikhism.
The complex features a 24-metre-high central pylon symbolising his spiritual strength, flanked by three ‘C’-shaped arches representing his followers, and ten monoliths inscribed with the teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus.
“I was deeply anguished and outraged to witness the heartbreaking state of the Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial today. This sacred site - dedicated to Hind di Chadar, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji - lies broken, abandoned and forgotten. What should have been a place of pride and reverence now stands as a monument to betrayal. While the AAP government spent crores on PR gimmicks and self-promotion, not a single rupee was spared to preserve this spiritual and cultural landmark. This is not mere negligence - it is a deliberate, shameful insult to Sikh sentiments. Arvind Kejriwal and his party have repeatedly used Sikh emotions as political props, without any genuine respect for our heritage. The nation must see the truth,” said Sirsa.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa observed that the light and sound show, once a popular attraction at the site, has been non-functional for several years, along with the defunct lighting system.
The previous government had a ready-built structure; they only had to maintain it, but even that was not carried out. They could not even maintain the Sikh memorial, forget respecting the martyrs,” said Sirsa while adding that this site is located on the National Highway, and the BJP led government intends to develop it in a manner that allows tourists and pilgrims from states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir to visit and learn about the life and sacrifices of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Kapil Mishra added, “This place deserves to be a cultural and spiritual beacon. We will implement a detailed revamp that includes laser shows, cultural performances, guided heritage tours, and upgraded visitor facilities to make it a must-visit destination for devotees and tourists alike.”
Next, the Minister visited Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Combating Climate Change (MGICCC) in Village Bakoli, spread across 17 acres. Accompanied by Badli MLA Deepak Choudhary and senior officials, the Minister was briefed on the institute’s functions, green technology innovations, and past training programs. The team highlighted projects such as a solar-powered refrigerator and collaborations with the Forest and Wildlife Department on climate resilience initiatives. The Minister inspected the hostel blocks, conference room, library and multi-purpose hall. He noted the campus’s unique hexagonal structure, which historically helped maintain a cooler internal temperature even during peak summers. “Unfortunately, the previous government’s ignorance has ruined the distinct features of this green campus completely,” he observed. The entrance signage had worn away, and much of the infrastructure was in disrepair.
“The previous government could not even preserve the name of Mahatma Gandhi, let alone uphold his values. This level of neglect shows their misplaced priorities,” said Sirsa. He also commended the institute for conducting 55 training sessions and 2 specialised programs for the Department of Forest and Wildlife, GNCTD, which benefitted over 4,308 participants. The Minister assured that budgetary support for renovation and transformation will be extended immediately and said he would apprise the Chief Minister about the condition of the campus and request her intervention for comprehensive infrastructural transformation.
He also discussed a large-scale plantation drive during the upcoming monsoon season, which the forest department is prepared to support with available open land. To mitigate air pollution and ensure smoother traffic flow, the Minister instructed that the dusty, brown roadside patches be converted into hard green surfaces.
