Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Secures Key Property for Shaheed Sukhdev's Ancestral House Corridor
In a significant development for preserving India's freedom struggle heritage, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has taken possession of a key property that was obstructing direct access to the ancestral house of Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar. This long-pending acquisition, finalized on Sunday, marks a crucial step toward creating a dedicated corridor to the martyr's birthplace located in the congested Naughara Mohalla of Ludhiana's Old City.
Overcoming Years of Obstruction
The ancestral house of Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar, where a bust of the martyr is installed, has remained hidden behind buildings for years, with at least five properties blocking the direct path. The Sukhdev Thapar Memorial Trust, which maintains and preserves the house, has been advocating for a direct corridor to ensure maximum visitors can access this protected historical site. With the Municipal Corporation's recent acquisition, four of the five obstructing properties have now been cleared, bringing the project closer to realization.
Tribhuvan Thapar, representing the family-run trust, expressed relief at the progress. "Today, the MC and Ludhiana administration took possession of 44 square yards of property. Now we request the Punjab government to demolish the structures and pave the way for direct access to the birthplace of Shaheed e Azam Sukhdev Thapar without any further delay," he stated. Thapar emphasized that efforts to create a direct pathway began at least six years ago, highlighting the prolonged nature of this initiative.
Compensation and Future Steps
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has compensated the owners to acquire the properties blocking the corridor. Paramdeep Singh, Additional Commissioner of Ludhiana MC, confirmed that "majority of the properties which were blocking the way have been acquired and work will start soon to build a direct pathway to the martyr's house." This move is expected to enhance visitor access and honor the legacy of Sukhdev Thapar, who was hanged alongside Bhagat Singh and Rajguru by the British at Lahore Jail on March 23, 1931, while fighting for India's independence.
The acquisition not only addresses logistical challenges but also symbolizes a commitment to preserving national history. As the project moves forward, it promises to transform the accessibility of this important memorial, ensuring that future generations can pay their respects to one of India's revered freedom fighters without hindrance.
