Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal today said the work on prestigious Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) would start by mid February which would be completed by 2016. Besides, Municipal Solid Waste Management System would also be kicked off this month.Reviewing the status of ongoing development projects in holy city after paying obeisance at Golden Temple, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Amritsar city would be made top tourist destination of South-East Asia. In a bid to attract more tourists and ease the traffic congestion being faced by the tourists, the BRTS project costing Rs. 491 crore is being initiated by the state government. He also informed that physical work on Municipal Solid Waste Management project at the cost of Rs. 72.49 crore would also be launched in this month with a view to keep the city clean. In a high level meeting the Deputy CM accompanied by Local Bodies Minister Mr. Anil Joshi, Mr. Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, directed the concerned officers to ensure the completion of both projects within stipulated time frame. He said Amritsar has already got a fleet of 40 city buses while 110 more buses would be added in the fleet for the facilitation of commuters. To rejuvenate and conserve the traditional ambience of Company Bagh,
Badal asked the Municipal Corporation and Tourism Department to make arrangements for light and sound, installation of musical fountains, pathways, tree plantation and land-scaping in the historical Bagh.Reviewing the status of restoration and conservation of Town Hall building at a cost of Rs. 65.5 crore, Mr. Badal asked the implementing agency to construct world class convention center and exhibition hall besides good quality food court, craft bazaar and open air theatre. He also directed to maintain the traditional ambience of Town Hall building as holy city is widely regarded the focal point of tourism in India and abroad. Adding further he said that its maintenance and housekeeping services should be awarded to a reputed company. He also informed that there would be no paucity of funds for the ongoing development projects of Amritsar city. Earlier Deputy CM also visited the site of 'Entrance Plaza' in Golden Temple and asked the Tourism Department to expedite the remaining work of underground plaza.
He said that the plaza would give a big boost to pilgrimage activities since the project have redesigning and refurbishing of the open space in front of entrance of Golden Temple. It would also have world-class auditorium depicting rich cultural heritage of Sikhism to be displayed through an audio-visual information system. Stating that Amritsar city would get have a complete facelift, Mr. Badal said huge and attractive sculptures of our great personalities would be installed at all major roundabouts in holy city. He asked the Municipal Corporation to submit a draft plan at the earliest, which would be implemented in this year. He also said all major roads leading to Amritsar would have underground electricity cables and thickly populated areas to have overhead cables instead of electricity poles. He said designer poles would be erected for street lights on these roads to give traditional look to the holy city. Meanwhile, Deputy CM also inspected the ongoing work at historic Gobindgarh Fort, a legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and asked the concerned officers to complete its first phase at the earliest so it could be thrown open for the tourists. Mr. Badal also informed that light and sound program depicting the historical background associated with Maharaja Ranjit Singh, would also showcase the historical aspects of Punjab.Prominent amongst present in the meeting Mr. P.S. Aujla, Principal Secretary to Deputy CM, Mr. NPS Randhawa, Director Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Ravi Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner and Mr. DPS Kharbanda, Municipal Commissioner.