The “Manchester of India” Ludhiana is all set to get a new facelift with Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal giving his nod to Rs.3561 crore integrated development plan for Ludhiana and adjoining areas brand named as “Mission Ludhiana”. In a high level meeting held here late last night, Badal also tied up the financial resources for the ambitious urban development programme of Ludhiana and drew timelines for completion of every project.Principal Secretary Local Government Suresh Kumar and R.K. Verma, Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana gave an exhaustive presentation of integrated plan chalked out by the Corporation for the comprehensive infrastructural development of Ludhiana and adjoining areas. Badal said tha Ludhiana would be the first city in Punjab to have multi-thousand crore integrated development plan. It was informed that door to door collection and solid waste management programme launched by AtoZ Company has already covered 60% of city whereas other company was performing the job of road sweeping. Badal said that for Ludhiana having high density of vehicle population, Ludhiana Municipal Corporation should start night sweeping of roads especially on arterial intercity roads. He said that slums and outer areas should also be the focus of MC, Ludhiana. Calling for involvement of public in making solid waste management programme a success, Badal sanctioned Rs.15 crore annual payments for solid waste management programme.Focusing on providing water supply and sewerage system to uncovered areas, augmentation of sewerage treatment plant besides ensuring proper storm water drainage and disposal, Badal said that only one company should be given the job on turnkey basis that would maintain it for next 10 years. It was informed that Ludhiana city has 1639 KMS of water distribution network with 779 tube wells and project was on to cover remaining 17% city for water supply. Similarly, with 182kms main sewer and 1279 kms branch sewer only 87% Ludhiana city was covered with sewerage system. Instructions were issued to cover remaining 13% area under integrated programme. The Deputy Chief Minister also approved upgradation of 111 MLD STP at Bhattian, 48 MLD STP at Jamalpur, 152 MLD STP at Balloke besides construction of new 50 MLD STP Bhattian and another 105 MLD new STP at Balloke. The Deputy Chief Minister asked the MC to ensure that these STPs become operational within next 3 years. Badal approved Rs.126 crore for sewerage system, Rs.290 crore for water supply, Rs.30 Crore for STP and Rs.55 crore for Operation and Maintenance of these services.Asking the MC Ludhiana to go for ESCO model for efficient street lighting, Badal said that all 90000 lighting points in the city should be replaced with the LED lighting and efforts should be made to reduce existing energy bill of Rs.27 crore per annum. Expressing concern over rising density of vehicles and consistent traffic jams, Badal said that busiest roads including Jagraon Bridge-Ferozepur road, Jagraon Bridge-Hambran road, Jagraon Bridge-Rahon road, Jagraon Bridge-Sahnewal-Delhi road, Jagraon Bridge-Malerkotla road and Ladhowal-Hambran road needed immediate upgradation. He said that he has noticed that average speed of vehicles on these roads were 24-30 km per hour that negated the total concept of efficient traffic system. Badal expressed concern at rising density of vehicles on Ludhiana roads as average density on these roads were 2263 minimum at Rahon road and 7070 maximum at Ferozepur road. He also expressed concern over haphazard parking hindering the smooth flow of traffic in the city.The Deputy Chief Minister said that till the Ludhiana gets quality mass transport system including Metro, the city road network would have to be upgraded for the future challenges. The MC Ludhiana was asked to come out with phase-2 plan for further expansion of Metro rail system to 200 kms, introducing bus rapid transport system besides making use of commuter rail system with adjoining cities, to lessen the load of traffic on city. Badal Okayed Road System Development Plan for Ludhiana city that included laying of new roads (313 kms), Road Widening (199kms), construction of 41 flyovers, 18 RUBs besides construction of integrated freight complexes. It was also decided to explore the possibility of multi-storeyed parking facility in Ghumar Mandi, Chaura Bazaar and making Chaura bazaar road as no parking zone. The meeting also approved improvement of 19 junctions including Vishwakarma Chowk, Jagraon Bridge Chowk, Geeta Mandir Chowk, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Bhiabala Chowk, Aarti Chowk, Yes Bank Chowk, Circuit House Chowk, Sarabha Nagar Chowk Delata Heart Centre Chowk, Canal Chowk, Aggar Nagar Sector A and B Chowk, Lodhi Club Junction, Sherpur Chowk, Oswal Chowk, Samrala Chowk, Shivpuri Chowk, Basti Jodhewal Chowk and Jalandhar Bypass Chowk and making flyovers and RUBs wherever required. The meeting approved Rs.2765.80 crore that includes Rs.1076.2 crore for road widening, Rs.193.6 crore for new road links and Rs.920 crore for upgradation and widening of regional roads. Stressing upon the need for efficient city bus service it was decided to add 200 additional buses to fleet of existing 30 buses. The Deputy Chief Minister asked Principal Secretary Local Government to expedite finalization of DPR of Ludhiana Metro within this month. Impressing upon the need for improving greenery, Badal said that all 770 parks in the city including Rose Garden, Rakhbagh, Children Park, Leisure Valley, Mini Rose Garden and 29 central strips should be maintained by a private horticulture company. Expressing concern over slow progress on cleansing of Budha Nallah, Badal said that this 14 km long eye sore has to be cleaned and sewerage and industrial waste discharge in it has to be stopped with stern hand. It was informed that 4832 houses for urban poor constructed at the cost of Rs.113.53 crore have been completed and allotment would be made soon. Badal asked the department to construct 5000 more such houses and allocated Rs.40 crore for the first phase.
Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included S.K. Sandhu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Local Govrnment, S.K Verma, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Ludhiana, P.S. Aujla, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Manvesh Singh Sidhu and Ajay Kumar Mahajan, both Special Principal Secretaries to Deputy Chief Minister, Moneesh Kumar, Joint Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister and representatives of AtoZ Company.