The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has ordered an immediate halt to all construction work on the ambitious Heritage Street project in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib. This decisive action comes amidst a growing dispute with the Anandpur Sahib Foundation, the agency overseeing the development.
Dispute Halts Major Pilgrimage Infrastructure Project
The conflict centers around the construction activities near the revered Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, one of the five temporal seats of Sikh authority. According to SGPC officials, the foundation began work on a public toilet block and a police post directly in front of the Takht's main entrance. The SGPC alleges this was done without seeking necessary permissions or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the committee, which is the custodian of the sacred site.
"We have not given any NOC for this construction," stated a senior SGPC representative. The committee views the unilateral commencement of work as a serious breach of protocol and an infringement on its jurisdiction over the gurdwara's peripheral environment. The Heritage Street project, envisioned to enhance the pilgrimage experience, has now become a point of contention.
Anandpur Sahib Foundation's Role and the Stalemate
The Anandpur Sahib Foundation was established by the Punjab government with the mandate to develop the city's infrastructure, particularly focusing on facilities for the millions of devotees who visit during major festivals like Hola Mohalla. The Heritage Street project is a key part of this vision, aimed at creating a pedestrian-friendly zone with improved amenities around the historic gurdwaras.
However, the SGPC's move to stop the work underscores a significant clash over authority and planning. The committee asserts its paramount role in any development that impacts the immediate vicinity of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. This stoppage throws the project's timeline into uncertainty and highlights the challenges of executing urban development in areas of deep religious significance.
Implications for Devotees and Future Development
The suspension of work has immediate and future consequences. In the short term, the area in front of the Takht may remain disrupted. For the long term, this dispute could set a precedent for how development projects are negotiated around other major Sikh shrines in Punjab.
The stalemate raises critical questions about coordination between religious bodies and state-backed development agencies. A resolution will require dialogue to balance the goals of heritage conservation, pilgrimage facility improvement, and respect for religious authority. The outcome will be closely watched by stakeholders across Punjab, as it affects not just tourism but the management of sacred spaces.
Until the SGPC and the Anandpur Sahib Foundation reach a mutually agreeable solution, all construction on Heritage Street remains frozen. The pause serves as a reminder that in cities like Anandpur Sahib, development must proceed with sensitivity and consensus.
