Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj recently expressed reservations about the project, stating that the gate could obstruct the direct view of the Takht, but government sources claim the plan had earlier received SGPC nod
06 January, 2026 – Ropar : A high-profile development project aimed at boosting religious tourism in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib has become the latest flashpoint in an escalating political confrontation between the Punjab Government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The proposed Heritage Street, envisaged as a white-marble pathway from NH-503 to Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib, remains stalled, with an unfinished trench now posing both a traffic hazard and an eyesore for pilgrims.
The project ran into trouble after SGPC officials allegedly forced contractors of the state Tourism Department to halt work, triggering a stalemate that the government appears unwilling to confront head-on. Sources indicate that instead of direct engagement with the powerful Sikh body, the government is exploring indirect channels, seeking support from Kar Seva Babas and Nihang sects to break the deadlock.
Officials in the Tourism Department privately admit there is little clarity on when construction might resume. Some suggest that work could restart only after the Hola Mohalla celebrations in March, a key religious event that draws lakhs of devotees to the city each year. Until then, the half-dug stretch on the main approach road remains a symbol of administrative paralysis.
The Heritage Street was pitched as a first-of-its-kind project, with an all-white marble design intended to enhance the spiritual ambience of Anandpur Sahib and provide a seamless pilgrim experience. A senior tourism official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the project had the potential to transform the city’s tourism landscape, much like the Heritage Street in Amritsar. “Tourism in Amritsar saw a major boost after the Heritage Street came up. Anandpur Sahib could have benefited similarly, but unfortunately the project has been politicised,” the official said.
To justify its opposition to the project, the SGPC, however, maintains that the project would inconvenience devotees. On December 22, the manager of Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib formally wrote to the government, urging it not to commence work, citing potential disruption to pilgrim movement. Objections were raised to elements of the design, particularly a proposed gate at the start of the Heritage Street.
Adding weight to the objections, acting Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj recently expressed reservations, stating that the gate could obstruct the direct view of the Takht, a concern that resonates strongly with Sikh sentiments.
Government sources counter these claims, asserting that the project’s plans had earlier received SGPC approval and that the current resistance is politically motivated. The timing of the dispute is significant, coming on the heels of strained relations between the SGPC and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the commemoration of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur last November. During those events, the SGPC reportedly denied the government permission to use its inns in Anandpur Sahib and objected to parallel events organised by the government.
Highly placed officials also warn of financial repercussions. The state government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore for the project, but if the work does not resume within stipulated timelines, the allocation risks lapsing. When contacted, Education and Public Relations Minister Harjot Singh Bains declined to comment on the controversy, stating only that he had fulfilled his responsibility by securing funds for the holy city.
With neither side showing signs of backing down, the Heritage Street project meant to blend faith, heritage and tourism has instead become entangled in politics. As pilgrims continue to navigate the dug-up road and uncertainty looms over the project’s future, Anandpur Sahib finds itself at the crossroads of devotion and discord.
The Tribune