Setting the deadline for completion of construction work at upcoming Sri Ram Tirath Temple-cum-Panorama complex at Amritsar, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today directed the officers to complete the entire civil work by September 15, this year. Presiding over a high level review meeting to monitor the ongoing work on the construction of Sri Ram Tirath Temple cum Panorama complex at Amritsar and Baba Jeevan Singh Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib here today, the Chief Minister underscored the need for expediting the work of these projects for their timely completion.The Chief Minister said that the iconic temple cum panorama center was coming up at Sri Valmiki Tirath in Amritsar at a cost of Rs. 180 cr, where Bhagwan Valmiki ji had created the great epic and masterpiece of Ramayana. Mr. Badal said that it was a matter of great pride and honor for the state government to offer humble tributes to Bhagwan Valmiki Ji by developing this site for the devotees visiting this sacred place from every nook and corner of the world. He pointed out that new Temple which would be constructed at Sri Valmiki Ashram (Ram Tirath) would be an engineering marvel spruced with rare architecture, landscaping besides aesthetically designed.
In a significant decision, the Chief Minister gave nod for the installation of eight feet high golden plated Murti of Bhagwan Valmiki ji in the sanctum sanctorum. Likewise, Mr. Badal also gave nod for installing filtration Plant in the Sarovar in the Ram Tirath Temple and also finalized the design of the fountain in the memorial besides approving the installation of lights/lighting fixtures and audio/sound system in the memorial. He also gave nod for constitution of a Committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar for the management, operation and maintenance of the complex and for other related activities.Meanwhile, the Chief Minsiter also announced to lay the foundation stone on construction of Baba Jeevan Singh Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib in the month of June and the work would be completed by October this year. He said that this memorial to come up at a cost of Rs 25 crore would be a befitting tribute to the legendary Sikh martyr Baba Jeevan Singh, who had rendered marvelous service to the panth by bringing back the seesh of Guru Teg Bahadur ji from Chandni chowk (Delhi) to Sri Anandpur Sahib.
He said that Baba Jeevan Singh confronted unimaginable hardships during his journey from Delhi to Sri Anandpur sahib but he faced them bravely. Mr. Badal said that this memorial would remind our younger generations about exemplary courage exhibited by this legendary Sikh warrior which hardly finds any parallel in the entire Sikh history. Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal and Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, MLAs Justice (Retd.) Nirmal Singh and Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Chairman Punjab State Backward Classes Commission Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar, Chairman Punjab Dalit Vikas Board Mr. Vijay Danav, Chairman Punjab Safai Karamchari Welfare Board Mr. Raj Kumar Atikay, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Director Cultural Affairs Mr. Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa and Deputy Commissioner Amritsar Mr. Varun Roojam.