The New Chandigarh, envisioned by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in the Mullanpur area, was put on fast track of completion with Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal approving its comprehensive conceptual plan prepared by Greater Mohali Area Development Authority.
Presiding over a high level meeting, Sukhbir Singh Badal said that he was planning to make New Chandigarh one of the best planned city with ultra modern infrastructure to enable it to face the challenges of 21st century, making it a economic hub of South East Asia. Deputy Chief Minister said that this new city planned an area of 15272.5 acres in the foothills of Shivaliks, would have Eco-City, Medi-City, Education-City and mega projects that would propel the development of the state to the next orbit.
Asking GMADA to expedite the acquisition of land for Education City, Eco-City and Medi-City, Sukhbir said that road and allied infrastructure for these projects have to be completed by December 2013. Giving the details about Edu-City, the Deputy CM said that reputed international universities and institutes in the area of hospital administration, management courses, computer science and engineering branches, biotechnology, multimedia, pharmaceuticals, tourism and hospitality, industrial design, media and mass communication were evincing great interest to setup their institutes in the proposed education city. Deputy CM said that after seeking their expression of interest, a short listing process would begin and land would be allotted to them after completion of road infrastructure.
Approving Rs. 1278 crore for the infrastructure of proposed town, Sukhbir said that Rs. 660 crore has been sanctioned for Road Infrastructure and he would not accept anything below world class infrastructure technology in the building of road network. He asked Secretary PWD P.S. Aujla to ensure all junctions improvisations with National Highways should be according to international specifications.The Deputy Chief Minister also approved Rs. 12 crore for installation of 10 MGD capacity water treatment plants, Rs. 262 crore for water supply, sewerage and storm water and drainage water, Rs. 40 crore for 62 MLD sewerage treatment plant and Rs. 300 crore for 220KV and 66KV substation, electrification, street lightning and laying of 66KV underground cable.
Approving the eco-city plan, Sukhbir said that this world class city to be developed on a piece of 400 acres land would have planned development of 3109 plots. He was informed that construction of 40’,80’ and 120’ roads including public health , electrical and horticulture work at the cost of Rs. 151 crore would be completed by January 2014.Asking GMADA to expedite completion of 200 feet Mullanpur Road from UT boundary to T junction Siswan Road, the Deputy CM asked PWD to begin the process for declaring it a National Highway. It was also informed that this road would be completed by March 31, 2014 and its service roads and two service lanes would be completed by May 2014.
Reiterating his resolve to make a best planned city, Sukhbir said that two 66KV grid sub stations at Mullanpur Garibdass and Majra, 9 proposed grid sub-stations in Chandigarh and two 220 KV grid sub stations at Majra and Thaska with a combined capacity of 400 MVA should have international specifications. Asking the tourism department to put up eco-tourism plan for the green belts of New Chandigarh area, Sukhbir said that Shivaliks, its virgin forests and scenic beauty coupled with serenity of Siswan Dam Lake offer a huge tourism potential for adventure and eco-friendly tourists.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included A Venu Prasad, Secretary Urban Development, Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Chief Administrator, PUDA, Manjit Singh Brar, Additional Chief Administrator GMADA and officers of various departments.