Sohan Singh Thandal, Tourism Minister, Punjab today thanked Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitely for including Holy City Amritsar in the Heritage City Plan and said that this unique initiative of NDA Government would put the holy city on internatinal tourist circuit.In a statement issued here today Mr. Thandal said that Amritsar, the most revered city of the Sikhs, is all set to attract the international tourism with the ambitious projects started by the NDA and SAD-BJP goverenment in the state to glorify its heritage and culture. He said that the union budget presented by Mr. Arun Jaitly, Union Finance Minister, has contributed a lot to highlight the importance of the city internationally by being inducted it into the ‘Herigate City’ Plan. The special trains announced by the union government to connect this holy city to the different parts of the country, would also facilitate the pilgrims living across the country for hassle free journey up to this Godly place.Extending warm gratitude towards these positives initiatives taken by the union government in its maiden rail and general budget, Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Tourism Minister, Punjab said that the Punjab Government has also been executing various projects to glority the religious as well as cultural heritage of this holy city. pulging the detail of the projects started by SAD-BJP government, Mr. Thandal said that the project for the beautification of Entrance Plaza at Golden Temple Amritsar was in full swing, which would be completed by August, 2014 with the cost of Rs.120 crore.He said that the Punjab Government has also decided to set up a state-of-the-art war heroes' memorial cum Museum at Amritsar on seven acres of land on the Amritsar-Attari Road, for showcasing the supreme sacrifices made by the Punjabis while serving in the Armed forces. The work on this project has already been commenced and it would be completed with the estimated cost of Rs.100 crores.
The Minister further said that besides all these projects,Bhagwan Valmik Tirath Sthal at Amritsar was also being constructed. The estimated cost of this project would be Rs.200 crores.While praising the union government for inducting Sri Amritsar Sahib into ‘Heritage City’ Plan worth Rs.500 crore, Mr. Thandal said that it would surely catapult the holy city into the international tourism map.