In a bid to promote Sikh Cultural Heritage across the globe, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today reviewed the progress of historic projects in different cities and towns connected with Sikhism under the prestigious Sikh-Circuit Tourism Development Plan at a cost of Rs.250 crore. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister Office said that Mr. Badal was presiding over a high level meeting of Tourism Department at CMO this morning.
The Chief Minister was apprised by the Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Geetika Kalha that under Sikh Circuit Tourism Plan the various historical sites in the cities and towns of great Sikh historic significance like Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi, Chappar Chiri, Chamkaur Sahib would be developed with the uniform theme to promote Sikh tourism through show casing the rich Sikh cultural heritage and valour. She further informed that under this plan a main portion of the amount would be spent to develop the surroundings of the Golden Temple and to preserve Gobindgarh Fort besides establishing different interpretation centers, art and culture centers at various places in Anandpur Sahib, Damdama Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi and Dera Baba Nanak to perpetuate the rich legacy of Sikhism amongst the youngsters.
Regarding the development of approach road from Hall gate to Golden Temple which would cost Rs.50 crore under Façade control and Façade for heritage buildings, Mr. Badal asked the Local Govt. department to coordinate with the tourism department for the improvement of roads, roadside rallying, pedestrian passages, storm water drain and laying underground cables to facelift the entire surroundings of the area. He also asked the Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh to personally look into the entire matter and ensure smooth and expeditious implementation of this project. The Chief Minister also approved Rs.40 crore as additional funds for the development of Gobindgarh Fort under this Sikh circuit-Amritsar project and permitted the tourism department to open a section of the fort for general public in coming September. In another meeting to review the status of ongoing projects of cultural affairs department, the Chief Minister gave approval to constitute the remainder committees by including the representatives from concerned communities on the pattern of Jang-e-Azadi committee.
Listing out the various upcoming monuments in the state the Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr. SS Channi said that currently, the projects on which the state government was working included Jang-e-Azadi, Guru Ravi Dass Memorial, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, Swami Vivekanand Memorial, Moti Ram Mehra, Baba Jiwan Singh Yadgar, Swami Girjanand Yadgar, War memorial for Warriors/Martyrs of Punjab and Shaheed Udham Singh Memorial, Sangrur. He said that 13th Finance Commission had already approved 23 monuments and Rs.100 crore had been sanctioned out of which the state government had released Rs.25 crore last year.
The Chief Minister asked the department to send their schedule to the state government for the early release of funds for various ongoing as well as new projects. He further directed the Cultural Affairs department to complete the formalities for drafting cultural heritage policy under which tangible and intangible cultural aspects, museums to be preserved for our future generations. He also asked to chalk out the modalities regarding the restoration work of historic buildings of Ranbir College and Mohindra College at Patiala. He further directed the department to chalk out a strategy to exempt the different memorial foundations constituted by the state government from EDC and CLU charges.
Expressing concern over the slow pace of the works related to the documentary films for Chappar Chiri, Chotta Galughara and Wada Galughara monuments, Mr. Badal asked the department to finalize the script of a film on legendary Sikh Warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in consultation with prominent Sikh historians, intellectuals and the members of the SGPC. He also directed all the officers of the cultural affairs department to regularly visit these monuments to monitor their progress besides ensuring their proper upkeep and maintenance. Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu.