The Punjab Government would spend Rs. 3568 crores for the development of the city in the next five years thus giving a big gift to Ludhiana residents. The amount declared is the biggest announced so far for the development of Ludhiana city. In addition to this, Government of Punjab has set the goal to include Ludhiana city in one the most developed cities in the country in the next five years. Disclosing this while interacting with the media-persons here today, the Local Government Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu said that the state government has initiated the process of systematic and planned development of Ludhiana, which is the largest industrial and most populated city of the state. A comprehensive plan has been prepared for the development of this city under which Rs. 3568 crore would be spent in the next five years.
Ludhiana residents to get pure canal drinking water
He said that the present government will provide clean canal drinking water to the residents of the big cities of Punjab. In the initial phase, this facility will be available to Ludhiana, Patiala, Sri Amritsar Sahib. In order to provide this facility, water form Sidhwan and Sirhind canal will be used for Ludhiana city and Rs. 2500 crores have been earmarked for this. This project will be completed in next 2 years. He said that the state government is encouraging water harvesting in the state. Apart from this, 64 STPs (Sewerage Treatment Plants) in the state will be restarted and utilized properly.
ONE TIME SETTLEMENT SCHEME
Mr. Sidhu said that most of the people residing in the urban sectors are not paying the property and house tax necessary for urban development. This leads to hindrances in the overall progress of the urban centres. The Punjab Government has decided to bring in 'One Time Settlement Scheme' to remove such roadblocks. He further said that under the scheme, a lump sum balance amount would be levied from the residents of urban areas which would lead to a major financial relief for them and re-commencing of development oriented works of the cities.
KAPTAN E-SEVA INITIATION
The minister also divulged that an ambitious initiative named 'Kaptan E-Seva' is being commenced which is in complete sync with the governance reforms plans of the Punjab Government. As per this initiative, the facility of procuring all kinds of maps including those of houses through online mode would be started in next 20 days time. The work pertaining to the online uploading of maps has been handed over to a reputed company. This would immensely benefit the public.
SMART CITY PROJECT
Mr. Sidhu also said that the smart city project brought for the sake of the development of city is being reviewed on which Rs. 396 crore have been spent during the current period and out of this amount, Rs. 200 crore have been released.
RS. 136 CRORE SANCTIONED FOR STALLED DEVELOPMENT WORKS
The minister also added that owing to the improper and hap-hazard planning by the previous SAD-BJP dispensation, the development centric works in the city were stalled and to re-start these, Rs. 136 crore have been sanctioned.
Rs. 187 CRORE RELEASED UNDER AMRUT SCHEME
Mr. Sidhu also disclosed that under the AMRUT scheme of the Union Government, a sum of Rs. 306 crore has been provisioned for strengthening the water supply mechanism in order to provide clean drinking water to the people of the city. Out of this, Rs. 87 crore have been released. Besides this, DPR worth Rs. 498 crore has been readied to further strengthen the sewerage system in the city.
EXHIBITION CENTER TO COME UP IN LUDHIANA
Catering to the long pending demand of the city dwellers, industrialists and entrepreneurs, Mr. Sidhu said that an exhibition center would be set up in Ludhiana for which Rs. 25 crores have been earmarked by the Punjab government. Its work will be started soon.
NEW PROJECTS ANNOUNCED FOR CITY
Sidhu said that while in order to complete the developmental works of the city Rs. 136 crores would be spent, new development works would also be started in the city under which Rs. 120 crore would be spent on giving facelift to Focal Point, Rs. 40 crore for setting up static compactor, Rs. 15 crore for setting up 4 parks with ultra modern amenities, Rs. 60 crore for construction of road along Budha Nala , Rs 130 crore for CETP project and Rs. 20 crore would be spent on a modern sports park in the Gill assembly constituency providing top notch sports facilities to the players of the city. In addition, Rs. 4 crore have been earmarked for repair of Sua Road which connects two assembly constituencies and Rs. 3 crore initially for opening government college in the East assembly constituency. The Construction of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhawan at the cost of Rs.11 crore will be undertaken, Rs. 2 crore have been kept for the construction of primary school of Ward No. 44 , Rs. 6 crore for covering the drain passing through Shivaji Nagar, and Rs 20 crore for the modernization of the Slaughter House. Apart from this, a special fire brigade vehicle worth Rs 8 crore has been announced for the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana. Apart from this, a modern swimming pool will be constructed in the assembly constituency of Ludhiana (WEST), which can be used for swimming throughout the season. On this occasion, Mr. Sidhu said that this is the government of the people of Punjab which takes every decision keeping in mind the development and interest of the people. Under this, a provision of 50 percent reservation for women has been made and Punjab Urban Housing Scheme has been introduced to provide homes to the economically backward section at free and concessional rates. This would lead to lakhs of needy families of Punjab getting a roof over their heads
Lays foundation stone of Railway over bridges near Pakhowal road & Jagraon Bridge
Earlier, Navjot Singh Sidhu laid the foundation stone of the railway over bridges at railway corridor in Pakhowal road (at a cost of Rs. 100 crore) and jagraon bridge (At a cost of Rs. 26 crore) which is the lifeline of the city. He said that these two projects would be completed in next two years.
Lok Insaaf Party leaders join Congress
During the press conference many senior leaders of the Lok Insaaf Party joined Congress party along with their colleagues. Among them were included the State wing President of the Industrial Wing of the Party Mr. Jaswinder Singh Thukral, Youth Wing State President Manraj Singh and senior leader Jaipal Singh Sandhu. These leaders were inducted in the Congress fold by the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Mr. Sunil Jakhar who assured them of full respect in the party.