Rs. 80 crore for the major up gradation
of road network of the holy city Amritsar
Amritsar, July 24, 2008
Reiterating his firm resolve to develop holy city of Amritsar
as a World class tourist destination, Punjab Chief Minister Mr
Parkash Singh Badal today formally launched the beautification
and maintenance project and laid the foundation stone for the
major up gradation of road network of the holy city.
Talking to media persons Mr. Badal informed that Rs. 80 crore
would be spent on this project whereby within a short span of
12 months the major roads of Amritsar would be landscaped, have
footpaths, street lights, traffic signals and sign indicator boards.
The project will be executed by Rohan and Rajdeep, a firm of National
repute, he added. Besides, a sum of Rs. 20 crore each would be
spent on dry brick flooring in the periphery wards , concrete
flooring in various wards, solid waste management project and
Rs.11 crore for ornamental tree plantation in the city as a part
of beautification and clean environment project.
"We owe a moral duty to develop Amritsar as one of the
finest cities across the globe in view its historical and religious
importance. The development of this city can not the quantified
in terms of money rather it is the sheer devotion and faith to
bring spectacular all round development here as lacs of devotees
daily visit Sri Darbar Shaib to pay their obeisance in order to
seek the blessings of Almighty"said Mr. Badal. The Chief
Minister also highlighted significance of over all development
and growth of Amritsar in the context of the improved Indo-Pak
relations which would further give a fillip to the bilateral trade
between two countries in general and Punjab in particular.
Mr. Badal said that a policy would be formulated for the development
of Amritsar in such a manner that balanced growth of the city
is ensured without ignoring the outer wards. He said that the
State Government had initiated concerted efforts towards an integrated
development of the Corporate cities of Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar,
Patiala, Mohali and Bathinda for which the services of renowned
planners and architects were being taken to prepare the master
plans of the cities.
Mr. Badal lamented that even after 60 years of Independence,
the Centre had not been able to provide the basic civic amenities
to our people. He said any society or nation could not progress
without education and health facilities. He said his Government
had embarked and ambitious plan to modernize the Government Guru
Nanak Hospital and Medical College at a cost of 130 crore and
probably it would the one of the best hospitals in the World.
Answering a query regarding irregular supply of power, Mr. Badal
said that concerted efforts are being made to bridge the gap between
demand and supply of power. Later, replying to a question related
to the recent political scenario, Mr. Badal said that UPA has
won but democracy has failed miserably.
Earlier talking to media persons, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu said
that he would keep his word given to the people of Amritsar at
all costs to develop this historic city on the ultra modern lines.
He said that the development of Amritsar was a pointer towards
the development of not only India but of entire World as it reflected
the cosmopolitan culture and rich heritage binding the humanity.
Prominent amongst other who were also present on the occasion
included Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Industry and Local Body Minister
Punjab, Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Information & Public Relations
Minister Punjab, Prof. Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Minister for Health,
Mayor Er. Shwet Malik, all local MLAs, Mr. D.S. Bains, Principal
Secretary Local Government, Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu, Deputy Commissioner
and Mr. D.P.S. Kharbanda, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Amritsar.