Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday announced a slew of development projects worth over Rs 3600 crores for the Ludhiana district, ranging from infrastructure development to water supply, industries, health and education.Addressing the citizens after unfurling the Tricolour on the momentous occasion of the 72nd Independence Day at the Guru Nanak Stadium here this morning, the Chief Minister announced allocation of Rs. 1469 crore for a project to shift Ludhiana from the existing ground water supply to 24x7 surface water supply. The project, he said, had been approved in principle by Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India and posted to World Bank/ADB for external financing.In-principle approval had also been received for the establishment of a Civil Enclave at Indian Air Force Station Halwara (Ludhiana), he said, adding that the state government was pursuing the matter with the Government of India.While Rs. 350 crore had been earmarked for facilitating the development of Hero Cycles Park, as part of Hi-Tech Cycle Valley at Ludhiana, another Rs. 250 crore had been set aside for the Oswal Integrated Business Park, said the Chief Minister, adding that these projects would generate employment and give a boost to the state’s industrial development.Another Rs. 117 crores will be spent on a Mega Food Park, to come up over 100 acres at Ladhowal, with Rs. 56 crores being earmarked for setting up of 50 MLD CETP for Tajpur Road and Rahon Road, in addition to Rs. 55 crores for the 40 MLD CETP for Focal Point Dyeing Industry, said the Chief Minister.
Captain Amarinder also announced Rs 23 crores for 15 MLD CETP at Bahadarke Road, work for which had already started, besides Rs. 32 crores for development of Focal Points, and Rs 15 crores for development of 11 of the 24 Industrial Clusters which had been taken up for development under the Centre’s MSE-CDP programme.Another key announcement for industrial development related to Rs 15 crores allocation for Cluster Project of Oil Expeller and Parts, which is expected to almost double its turnover and also increase its employment generation.Captain Amarinder Singh also announced Rs. 483 crore for undertaking various urban development works, including Rs 366 Crores for Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, Rs 52 Crores for Municipal Council Khanna, 32 Crores for Raikot Municipal Council and Rs. 23 Crores for Jagraon Municipal Council. Machhiwara MC has got Rs. 3 crores, Sahnewal MC Rs. 2.40 crores, Doraha MC Rs. 2 crores, Mullanpur Dakha MC Rs. 1.5 crores, Payal MC Rs. 1.3 crores, Maloud MC Rs. 1 crore and Samrala MC Rs. 89 lakhs.The Chief Minister announced Rs. 9.6 crore for modern Rehri Markets being set up by GLADA over 3.86 acres in various urban estates in Ludhiana for the relocation of 1020 vendors.In another key decision, the Chief Minister announced to set up a 30-bed Hospital at Doraha in the memory of former Chief Minister Late Sardar Beant Singh. Further, Rs 64 Lakhs would be provided for setting up of 10 bed mini PHC at village Jhorda in memory of Late Havildar Ishwar Singh of 36 Sikh Regiment, who fought in the famous battle of Saragarhi Fort, the Chief Minister added.
The historical villages of Jagraon (birth place of Lala Lajpat Rai), Sarabha (Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha), Thapar Colony (Shaheed Sukhdev) and Bhaini Sahib (Satguru Ram Singh Ji) would be allocated Rs 1 Crore grant each for development under the Composite Development Fund, he further announced.Fulfilling a long-pending demand of the city industrialists, Captain Amarinder Singh Chief announced another Rs. 450 Crores for the development of a Convention and Exhibition Centre, which was coming up over 6 acres of land on Chandigarh-Ludhiana at Ludhiana. The project would be completed in six months.The Chief Minister announced Rs. 261 Crores for the development of rural areas of the district, including repair of 1591 km link roads (Rs. 169 crores), development works in Mandis (Rs. 78 crores) and widening & upgradation of culverts and bridges on Link Roads (Rs. 14 crores).To upgrade and strengthen existing infrastructure in Government run schools, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs. 21.4 crore. A development grant of Rs 1 Crores for each of the seven Assembly segments falling under Ludhiana MC was also announced by Captain Amarinder.