The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today approved the multi-thousand crore heritage rejuvenation plan for the holy city Amritsar to make it No. 1 tourist destination of South-East Asia and gateway from Attari border to India.In a joint presentation given today by Urban Development, Local Government, Municipal Corporation and Tourism Department here today, in which Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, Industry and Commerce Minister Anil Joshi, Member Parliament Navjot Singh Sidhu and all local MLAs were present, the Deputy Chief Minister gave his nod to conceptual plan presented by various departments. It was decided that for coordinated development of Amritsar, Deputy Chief Minister himself would be heading Metropolitan Council of Amritsar that would oversee and monitor the time-bound execution and implementation of all projects, in sync with Ancient Heritage of Amritsar so that the holy city does not lose its original character. The Council gave in principle approved upgradation of Attari Tourist Reception Center coupled with restaurant, food plaza, open air-theatre, multi-level parking to facilitate the tourists. Badal asked the Tourism Department to finalise the laser show on Singapore and New York pattern so that tourists after retreat ceremony could stay back, enjoy the laser show and cultural program and return back only after dinner. Expressing concern over slow execution of Gobindgarh Fort Project being financed by ADB, Badal asked the tourism department to make the execution of project time-bound that should be completed exactly in 12 months. He said that if possible this project should be developed and run by only one agency having international experience. He later also visited the fort for on the spot review of project. Reviewing the Golden Temple Plaza construction progress, Badal said that while executing the project, we must work-out its upkeep and maintenance by a professional agency and financial model of this should be approved by the cabinet. Approving the conceptual plan of Town Hall project, Badal said that while making use of this building, we must preserve the external façade of this historical building and make appropriate of this. Approving the conversation and upkeep of Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital building, the Deputy Chief Minister said that heritage concept of this building must be preserved. He also approved the conceptual plan for Ram Bagh and Heritage Village being constructed in Guru Nanak Dev University campus. Badal said that the Punjab Government would be approaching Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to immediate sanction of Maglev train between Amritsar and Delhi or extend the Delhi-Chandigarh train already approved to Amritsar. Badal also gave his conceptual approval to redevelopment of approach to Sri Harmandir Sahib that would give unique identity to this route.Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Geetika Kalha, Principal Secretary Local Government Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister P.S. Aujla, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy CM Manvesh Singh Sidhu and other senior officers of various department.