“The Department of Local Bodies is pumping in Rs. 58 Crore to build infrastructure, renovation and recarpetting of roads, and to provide other basic amenities to the lakhs of pilgrims who would visit the cities of Sultanpur Lodhi, Batala and Dera Baba Nanak to take part in the 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Most of the Development works in these historic cities which are blessed with the divine manifestation of Guru Nanak Dev ji are 65 to 80% complete and rest of work would be completed in the month of September, 2019.” said by Mr. Bram Mohindra , Local Bodies Minister in a press communiqué released here today.The Local Bodies Minister also chaired the high level meeting to review the progress of the various ongoing development works being carried out in Sultanpur Lodhi, Batala and Dera Baba Nanak in connection with the 550th Birth Anniversary of First Spiritual Master of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The Meeting was especially attended by Mr. Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, Punjab. While providing detail of major works being carried out at Sultanpur Lodhi by the Department of Local Bodies, Mr. Brahm Mohindra said that all the internal roads of this historic city were being recarpetted and all the exiting street lights in the city were replaced with LED lights whereas 450 new LED streets lights would also be put up across the city. He said that 16 meter high mast LED lights were also being put up at 8 main chownks. Likewise 20 ultra modern permanent Ladies and Gents toilets were also being constructed. He said that for the convenience of the pilgrims the Local Bodies Department had also put up sinages across the city.
Similarly the berms alongside all the city roads were being covered with interlocking paver block tiles for the smooth movement of the pilgrims. He said to maintain the cleanliness in the city 240 main dustbins had been placed at Langer, Parking and other sites. He said that 4350 sweepers, sewer men and trolley men would also be pressed into service during the celebrations. This manpower was being hired by PMIDC, the tender for which has been called on August 28. He said that the work of solid waste management would be allotted to a renowned company in the last week of August. “The department would also supply 3 TATA tippers and a JCB machine to the Sultanpur Lodhi Municipal Council, whereas 40 Rikhsha Rehris and 45 e-Rikshas would also be at the disposal of MC during the celebrations,” added Mr. Brahm Mohindra. He said that in Sultanpur Lodhi total 64 development works were being executed with the cost of Rs. 35 crore and work on most of the projects was 65 to 80 % complete. He said that the remaining work would be completed in the month of September by all means.The Local Bodies Minister said that in Batala 82 works were being executed with the cost of Rs. 20 crore. He said that 31 works were 100% complete and rest of the works would be completed by September 30, 2019. Similarly at Dera Baba Nanak the Local Bodies Department was executing 7 development works and the work on these projects was underway and would be completed by September 30, 2019.Prominent amongst other who were present in the meeting included Mr. A. Venu Prasad, Principal Secretary, Local Bodies Department, Mr. Ajoy Sharma, Secretary Local Government cum CEO Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company, Mr. Karnesh Sharma, Director, Local Government and other senior officer of the department.