Interestingly, the city holds the maximum number of gardens and parks that are visited by people from across the region. However, this has not prompted the government agencies to ensure regular watering of these plants. The entire stretch on Sirhind Road and Rajpura Road has lost its green cover due to the alleged government apathy.

Plants grown inside the dividers on the various roads in the city have already dried up. “The plants were taken care of only when former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who belonged to the city, ensured a green cover in the city. Once he is gone, no one bothers anymore,” rued Sonamjit Kaur, a city resident.

Officials of the Patiala Municipal Corporation passed the buck refusing to claim “complete responsibility” and said that the officials of the forest division are equally responsible. “How can we manage such a huge area with a staff shortage? The higher authorities have to make separate provisions to water the plants, but no one seems to be interested,” they told Newsline.

The divisional forest officials, meanwhile, claimed that they can take care of only the trees and plants falling under their jurisdiction as the upkeep of other plants in the city are with the corporation. “We are not supposed to water the plants inside the city but can only ensure that no one uproots them,” officials stated.