The Tourism Department, Punjab, would develop 30 places in the state having immense historical importance as hubs of tourism including Shaheedi Smarak Hussainiwala, Historical Gurudwara Saragarhi in Ferozepur and Harike Wetland. This would result in employment avenues for the people, development of tourism sector apart from facilities for the tourists. The government would spend Rs. 600 crore on the project." This was disclosed here today by the cabinet minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu while paying homage at the martyrs memorial at Hussainiwala.The minister said that a comprehensive plan has been chalked out for the development of Shaheedi Smarak Hussainiwala so as to attract tourists from National and International places. He further divulged that Rs. 10 crore would be spent on the development of Shaheedi Smarak Hussainiwala and Saragarhi Gurudwara as hubs of tourism with facilities such as Laser Show, Restaurant, Landscaping and public conveniences at Shaheedi Smarak. He also disclosed that the proposals sent by the MLA (Ferozepur Urban) Mr. Parminder Singh Pinki to his department would be met with approval leading to their completion.
Earlier, Mr. Sidhu visited Harike wetland and said that this spot has the untapped yet immense potential to come up as the world class tourism centre and this would become reality soon. He also said that motorboat, boats, restaurants and tent hotels would be provided to the tourists coming here after consulting the Forest and the Irrigation Departments. The minister further divulged that the whole area would be transformed into an environment friendly zone to attract tourists. He further added that floating restaurants would also come up at the Sirhind Feeder & Ferozepur which originate from the harike headworks. The minister said that his sole motive is to bring Punjab on International Tourism Map which would lead to the generation of the employment avenues in the state thus accelerating the development of the state on parameters of progress. He also made it clear that the government has ample funds at its disposal regarding this and the master plan of the said places would be readied in the next 3-4 months and work initiated. On this occassion Under Mission Tandarust Punjab he also planted plants.
The MLA (Ferozepur Urban) Mr. Parminder Singh Pinki and MLA Mr. Kulbir Singh Zira thanked Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu for his marvelous efforts and contribution towards development of Shaheedi Smarak, Saragarhi Gurudwara and Harike Wetland as tourism hubs. They also expressed confidence that with these pathbreaking measures more and more tourists would converge on Punjab leading to generation of job avenues as well as making people aware of their glorious cultural heritage.On the occasion ex-minister Jathedar Inderjit Singh Zira, Secretary Tourism Mr. Vikas Pratap, Director Mr. Shivdular Singh Dhillon, Commissioner Ferozepur/Faridkot Division Mr. Sumer Singh Gurjar, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ramvir, President District Congress Committee Mr. Chamkaur Singh Dhindsa, SDM Zira Mr. Amit Gupta, SDM Guruharsahai Mr. Charandeep Singh, Mr. Bittu Sangha, Mr. Balveer Singh Batth, Mr. Daljit Singh Dulchike, Advocate Gulshan Monga and others were also present.