Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday reviewed the development works in Patiala City and announced a slew of projects to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and civic amenities.Chairing a high level meeting here at his official residence this evening, the Chief Minister gave the go-ahead for construction of 66 KV Sub Station at Sanauri Adda at a cost of Rs. 3.78 crore.Principal Secretary Power informed the meeting that work on this project would begin within a fortnight while other similar projects approved by the CM would be kickstarted shortly. These include 66 KV at Thapar University, Shakti Vihar and Passiana besides up-gradation of 66 KV old grid Patiala to 220 KV to ensure uninterrupted supply to the residents of Patiala city, which would entail a cost of nearly Rs 25 crore.Apprising the Chief Minister about the Surface Drinking Water Project, Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit said it was conceived to change the source of drinking water for city residents from underground (tubewell) water to surface (canal) water and was being funded by Asian Development Bank. It would be instrumental in fulfilling the long pending demand of local inhabitants for supply of potable water.The Deputy Commissioner also informed the CM that the transfer and exchange of 40 bigha 17 biswa land, belonging to Improvement Trust Patiala in Lord Mahavira Enclave scheme near southern bye-pass with PRTC land near Mathura Colony, has received assent from the Local Government Department.
Likewise, 58 bigha 16 biswa land belonging to PRTC near Mathura colony is being demarcated and the process is underway to get approval for the exchange of the same with the land belonging to Improvement Trust. A consultant has already been engaged by Punjab Infrastructure Development Board for the implementation of the project in a time-bound manner.On city’s beautification, concerted efforts have been made to give a facelift to various roundabouts, including Thikriwala Chowk, Fountain Chowk, Khanda Wala Chowk, and major roads, besides undertaking massive plantation drive on roadsides and landscaping at strategic locations, the Deputy Commissioner added.Referring to the shifting of dairies to Ablowal complex, the Municipal Commissioner informed the meeting that the detailed project report had been finalised and the tenders would be floated soon after getting approval from Local Government.On the issue of construction of northern bye-pass, the meeting was informed that 90 percent of the work had been completed and re-carpeting would be done once the rains were over.On the restoration and adaptive reuse of old Mohindra Kothi building and opening of medal gallery for public, the Chief Minister asked the Director Cultural Affairs to work out the modalities for preparation of DPR in this regard.The Deputy Commissioner also updated the CM about the conservation work which was in progress at the historic Qila Mubarak under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
The Chief Minister agreed to the proposal mooted by his Principal Secretary to entrust the task of development of Heritage Street around Qila Mubarak to the consultant already undertaking the conservation work, to ensure conceptual integrity of the restoration work inside and outside Qila Mubarak. He directed the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Administrator Patiala Development Authority to initiate work on this.The other development issues discussed in the meeting related to cleaning of Chhotti Nadi, setting up of State Sports University at village Sidhuwal, besides execution of beautification works at southern bye-pass, flyover near bus stand, fence link in the Baradari Gardens, beautification of the every point from Sangrur sides and new parking lots at City Centre and Bhupindra Road.Responding to the issues raised by Mayor Patiala, the Chief Minister directed his Principal Secretary to sort out the pending issues with Local Government department to ensure timely implementation of the development projects.Prominent amongst others present in the meeting were Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, Mayor Patiala Sanjiv Sharma Bittu, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Housing Vini Mahajan, Additional Chief Secretary Health Satish Chandra, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Tejveer Singh, Principal Secretary Finance Anirudh Tiwari, Principal Secretary Local Government and Power A Venu Prasad, Principal Secretary PWD Husan Lal, Secretary Education Krishan Kumar, CEO Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Ajoy Sharma and Director Cultural Affairs and Tourism M.S. Jaggi.