Punjab Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu today informed that a new athletics synthetic track would be laid at Guru Nanak Stadium, while work on indoor swimming pool would also start shortly. He said that the indoor swimming pool at Rakh Bagh has been a long pending demand of the city residents, and the work on it would commence shortly.Accompanied by senior officials, Mr Bharat Bhushan Ashu today held a review meeting of several ongoing projects under Ludhiana Smart City. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Ludhiana Improvement Trust chairman Mr Raman Balasubramaniam, Ludhiana Smart City CEO Mr Sanyam Aggarwal, SDM (West) Mr Amrinder Singh Malhi, Councillor Mrs Mamta Ashu, besides several others.He informed that all the sports facilities in the city, including the Shastri Hall, Basketball stadium, Table Tennis stadium, besides all others, would be upgraded with best sports facilities. Besides this, a sports park is being developed at the dump site in Jainpur village of district Ludhiana with cost of Rs 40 crore.He further informed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the second phase of Sidhwan Canal Water Front project has been prepared and work on it is likely to start shortly. In the second phase, the stretch of Sidhwan Canal, starting from Jawaddi Bridge till Dugri Bridge would be beautified. The work on the first phase of the Sidhwan Canal project had started on September 8, 2019, while the work on second phase would commence shortly.
While speaking on the occasion, Mr Bharat Bhushan Ashu said that this project envisages development of the stretch along the Sidhwan canal, starting from Ludhiana MC Zone D office near Ferozepur Road till Dugri Bridge, as an open public space for citizens of the city. The total cost of this project is Rs 12 crore.Mr Bharat Bhushan Ashu said that the stretch along the Sidhwan Canal in second phase was identified for landscape development of Sidhwan canal front project. He informed that this project includes developing a green belt, dedicated cycling track, playing zone, dedicated footpath along canal, sitting areas, wall climbing activities etc.Mr Bharat Bhushan Ashu informed that the proposed project aligns with the overall goal for Smart City Ludhiana including the creation of better places for people in the city achieved by working on the following strategic objectives such as landscaping of public open green space to revitalise them as urban public interactive spaces, proper lighting to ensure walkable and safe and secure environment, sustainable water management like rain water holding swales and pits for ground water recharge, enhance health and wellness of citizens, promote healthier activities like walking, cycling, jogging etc.He also inspected the ongoing work at the new Leisure valleys in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar.While issuing strict instructions to the staff, Mr Bharat Bhushan Ashu stated that he would personally monitor the progress of all the projects under Ludhiana Smart City and warned that strict action would be taken against officials if there is any lapse on their behalf.He further said that the Capt Amarinder Singh led Punjab government is committed for carrying out overall development of the state. He said that the projects under Ludhiana Smart City project would be completed on priority basis and within the set time frame. He said that the work on Rail Over Bridge and two Rail Under Bridges on Pakhowal Road has already started.