LUDHIANA: Manhole covers designed by master architect Le Corbusier, who planned Chandigarh, have high heritage value in most parts of the world. But in Ludhiana, their importance seems to be lost on the residents.
Though their authenticity is to be verified, 10 manhole covers that bear a striking resemblance to the ones designed by Corbusier have been found in Chet Singh Nagar.
The covers bear the sectoral map of City Beautiful and also mention Chandigarh on top. Officials, who are as unaware as the residents about the origin of these covers, say they were installed around 10 years ago. Fetching thousands of dollars during auctions at New York, London and Paris, these lids have little value till their originality is confirmed.
Two such covers also cork the drains at Punjab Agricultural University. The manhole covers, though said to have been put in place a decade ago, 'rose to the surface' after recent instructions to make sure no drain was below the tarmac.