Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that Amritsar is all set to witness operations of state's first Bus Rapid Transit System in the first week of July with issuing directions to the executing agency to complete the project by June end.While reviewing the status of this prestigious project here in a meeting, Mr. Badal said that company engaged for this project has been asked to complete the project by June end and this Rs. 495 crore project will become operations in July with 8 dedicated corridors in Amritsar. Mr. Badal said that he personally made a surprise visit to different sites of BRTS project and observed that the work was going in full swing. He said that executing agency has been directed to enhance the manpower so that the pace of ongoing work could be taken more speed. He said that the work of building various corridors was also going on good speed and dedicated bus lanes were being constructed to enable uninterrupted flow of buses, which would reduce the traffic chaos in the city.
Announcing Rs. 175 crore basic amenities project for Batala city, Mr. Badal said that the City will have 100 percent water supply, sewerage, sewerage treatment plants vis-à-vis its maintenance for 10 years. He said that the work on this project will start soon and the city within a span of one year will get complete basic amenities. He said that besides this, roads of the city and its vicinity will also be upgraded. He also asked the officers concerned to implement the basic amenities project in Gurdaspur, Batala and Sri Hargobindpur on turnkey basis.The Deputy CM said that the work on basic amenities project in Gurdaspur and Batala will be commenced within a month, which will be completed within stipulated time frame.Briefing about the holistic development plan of Punjab government, Mr. Badal said that a grant of Rs. 25 crore will be released to every constituency so that inclusive development could be ensured. Mr. Badal said that state has ample funds for development projects, which will give big push to development initiatives of state government. He said that within one year Punjab will touch new heights of development and growth.
Seeking cooperation and support of masses to make cleanliness drive a great success, Mr. Badal said that urban as well as rural areas of the state will be covered under this program. He said that under Swach Bharat mission this drive will be implemented on large scale with educating and motivating the masses about the cleanliness.Deputy CM asked Principal Secretary to CM Mr. S.K. Sandhu to ensure the speedy implementation of development works. Secretary Local Bodies Mr. Vikas Partap Singh, Secretary Mr. Deepinder Singh, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy CM Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, CEO Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Mr. D.K. Tiwari were also present in the meeting. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Welfare Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, Mr. Amarpal Singh Boni Ajnala, Mr. Virsa Singh Valtoha, Mr. Harmeet Singh Sandhu, Mr. Gurbachan Singh Babbehali, MLAs Bibi Jagir Kaur, Mr. Baljit Singh Jalal Usma, Mr. Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, Mr. Veer Singh Lopoke, Former Speaker Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Former Minister Mr. Sucha Singh Langah, YAD Majha Zone President Mr. Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon, Mr. Lakhvir Singh Lodhinangal, Mr. Gurpartap Singh Tikka, Mr. Navdeep Singh Goldi and other leaders.