Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday reviewed the progress of infrastructure and amenities being put in place for the historic 550th Parkash Purb celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji in November this year.Chairing a meeting of Dera Baba Nanak Development Authority (DBNDA), the Chief Minister directed all top officials to ensure timely completion of the various projects and to ensure that all efforts are geared towards making the event a grand success.An official spokesperson said the Chief Minister reviewed the status of the work connected with the requisite basic amenities, logistics and infrastructure, and directed the officers to put all these arrangements in place to facilitate millions of devotees, who are expected to converge at Dera Baba Nanak, on this historic occasion from across the globe.The spokesperson further revealed that the Chief Minister was updated about infrastructural projects worth Rs. 225 Crores for Dera Baba Nanak Town and adjoining 12 villages.Other major projects such as improvement of Roads, laying and Augmentation of Sewage system, Installation of new Street Lights, upgradation of Bus Stand, solar lights project and various amenities for pilgrims were discussed and approved. The Chief Minister directed that all the projects be completed well in time before the celebrations scheduled for November 2019.
He also emphasized the need to have proper road connectivity from Amritsar international airport and a well-developed public transportation linkage of Dera Baba Nanak town with all nearby major cities.To ensure the best facilities for pilgrims who planned to stay, the Chief Minister approved upgradation of Community Health Centre, Dera Baba Nanak, along with provision of Emergency facilities so as to ensure better health care. He also directed the officials concerned to expedite the land acquisition process for Construction of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and Integrated Check post.Captain Amarinder Singh directed heads of various departments, such as Development, Water supply, and sanitation, Local Bodies, PWD, Tourism etc, who were present in the meeting, to ensure full cooperation in the development of the area under the DBNDA so that coordinated and timely completion of all the projects could be ensured. At the same time,the CM also asked the officers to ensure completion of these projects in a time bound manner with full regards to ECI guidelines which shall not be violated under any circumstances.The Chief Minister directed that the Amritsar-Dera Baba Nanak Road be widened and at least 33 ft. metaled for smooth flow of Pilgrims coming from Amritsar side. The Dera Baba Nanak - Fatehgarh Churian -Batala road should be strengthened, he said at the meeting, at which it was pointed out that the National Highways Authority had already started work on Batala -Ramdas road, said the spokesperson.