Chandigarh authorities plan to illuminate the Rock Garden using LED lights and allow visiting hours to be extended until 10 pm, according to India media reports.
Work on the lighting up project will begin later this month and will take around six months, it is said.
At the same time, it is claimed that the long-delayed Phase 3 is to be completed including a new public exit. Currently, departing visitors are obliged to retrace their steps through Phase 2.
UT Home Secretary Anurag Agarwal is quoted as saying that a budget of Rs 5-6 crore (around US $800,000 to US$950,000) has been allocated to the project.
This is certainly bright news for the future of Nek Chand's Rock Garden. However, there have been false starts and unfulfilled promises previously and the Nek Chand Foundation hopes that this time there is light at the end of the tunnel and that Nek Chand may see his fantasy kingdom finished as he planned.
Certainly, an illuminated Rock Garden would make a stunning spectacle, and the potential for increased revenue from entrance ticket sales is significant.
Links to original articles below.
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/soon-rock-garden-to-be-illuminated-at-night/
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/you-may-soon-get-to-visit-rock-garden-till-10-pm/63490.html