“The development of Guru Ki Nagri Amritsar on all parameters of progress is an article of faith with the Punjab Government and the soon to be tendered smart city projects worth Rs. 150 crore chalked out for the development of the city would witness it metamorphosing into a city of the future.”Disclosing this here today, the Local Government Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu said that the developmental plan has prepared after taking into account all the pros and cons and would be a feather in the cap of the government. He said that the projects pertaining to installation of LED lights, Multi Level Car Parking, Integrated Command and Control Centre besides Development of parks & open spaces would be set in motion in the coming 6-12 months with the maintenance period ranging from 3-10 years.Mr. Sidhu said that the project would be implemented in multiple phases and during the course of the first phase LED lights would be installed all across the city at a cost of Rs. 34.57 crore. He further said that during the course of next 6 months span 63000 lights would be installed with more than 3000 already put in place. The minister also divulged that specialized focus would be laid on the maintenance aspect of the project.He also said that facility of free WiFi would be provided at the Heritage Street at a cost of Rs 2.3 crore.
Elaborating more, the minister said that keeping pace with the futuristic trends a fully automated multi level car parking (MRCP) mechanism would be put in place at the Kairon market in the Hall Bazaar area at a cost of Rs. 18.24 crore over the next 12 months span with maintenance period ranging to 5 years. He further disclosed that the MLCP would have provision for 415 cars and 80 two wheelers thus creating a space for nearly 500 vehicles.Coming to another significant segment of the project, Mr. Sidhu said that an Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICC) would be set up over a duration of 12 months with a maintenance span of 5 years to keep a hawk’s eye on all the activities in the entire city. Terming it as a safe city project, the minister elaborated that the main feature of this segment would be the installation of cameras at the important points in the city. He also said that Rs. 94 crore would be spent for the purpose.Detailing further, the minister said that another important part of the smart city project would be the development of parks as well as the open spaces in 8 months time at a cost of Rs. 3.83 crore. Explaining the rationale behind the part, he said that ensuring the robust health of the people of Punjab plus leaving a clean and green environment for posterity is the priority area for the government.Listing out the plans for the 2nd phase, Mr. Sidhu said that this phase would see the emphasis being laid on the sewerage system, water supply system, storm drains, smart roads, tourism aspect and beautifying the open spaces beneath the flyovers.