In response to an order from the Punjab and Haryana high courts, the Chandigarh Union Territory government is partly demolishing the Rock Garden, which was designed by Punjab administrator Nek Chand Saini.

I apologize, Nek Chand Saini, but your priceless masterpiece is being partially destroyed to create room for a road and parking lots for cars that emit pollution. Even in the centennial year of your birth, you have been let down by the Chandigarh people and the administration. Following the demolition effort four days ago, Chandigarh resident Manmohan Sarin posted on his X (previously Twitter) account, “I have tears in my eyes.”

Saini began working on the garden, which is a popular destination for tourists visiting Chandigarh, on his own in 1957. He collected trash and transformed it into artwork. The garden had grown to 12 acres when the Chandigarh government realized it existed in 1975.

As the granddaughter of Nek Chand, my family has been influencing Chandigarh’s ecology for decades by planting hundreds of trees and encouraging sustainability.

Priyanka Saini said on her X account, “This demolition deeply disheartens us.” “The people and family must have a say—government officials are not the only legitimate guardians.”

According to environmentalist Samantha Kaur, the Chandigarh government ought to be embarrassed by the demolition campaign. Honoring Nek Chand for razing trees to make room for a wider road and demolishing portions of Chandigarh’s Rock Garden. I wonder whether Manish Tiwari, our MP, is aware of this while it’s happening.