Sukbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today asserted that Punjab Government would soon form Solid Waste Management Wings in Local Bodies department to make sure all its cities and towns garbage free besides using the garbage for power generation. While taking stock of ongoing development projects at holy city Amritsar in a high level meeting on Thursday, Mr. Badal said that the state government was contemplating to form Solid Waste Management Wings (SWMW) to drain out garbage problem in the urban areas thereby providing clean and safe environment for the habitants. He said that SWMW will work with the guidance of experts for the lasting solution of garbage problem and generation of power from the garbage.
Deputy Chief Minister said the SAD-BJP Government will not tolerate any damage to the green cover of cities and rural areas in the state at any cost and informed that they are going to establish horticulture wings in each district. Adding further he said that these wings would ensure planting of double saplings of plants and trees as compare to the trees cut for the purpose of road widening besides ensuring the maintenance of green cover.
Reviewing the status of ongoing projects in Amritsar city, Badal said SAD-BJP regime was committed to include Amritsar in the list of developed and beautiful cities of the world and they will leave no stone unturned to achieve this target. He directed Mr. P.S.Aujla, Secretary PWD and other officers concerned to hold a meeting with Amritsar Mayor and officers of other departments and submit a detailed report within 2 days identifying the places, where flyovers are required in the city. Mr. Badal said the ruling combine was also firmed to include Amritsar in the proposed ‘Smart City’ project of the Union Government so that it could witness world class infrastructure with a high pace all round development.
Asking the officials present in the meeting not to stick the outer look and major roads of the city, Mr. Badal said they would ensure the overall development of the city vis-à-vis outer and inner roads, streets as per the needs of various localities. He said that the development should take place in view of future needs of all localities and the concerned authorities should take necessary suggestions from various localities before finalizing any plan.Badal also reviewed the ongoing construction of Golden Temple Plaza, Central Jail project, District Administrative Complex project, Amritsar-Rajasansi Road, Amritsar-Ajnala Roads and four laning project of Fatehgarh Churian road and asked the authorities concerned to expedite the pace of work. He directed the authorities to ensure timely completion of development projects including Rs. 8 crore project of state-of-the-art Entrance Gate on Jalandhar Road, walking track alongside the Sultanwind Canal, Rs. 500 crore project of Bus Rapid Transit System, beautification of Chowk Shaheedan, widening of Tarn Taran Road, Solid Waste Management Plant and sewerage and water supply project.
On the issue of chopping off of trees for the purpose of road widening in the city, Mr. Badal strictly directed the officers concerned not to cut the trees without dire necessity and there should be multiple planting of saplings against the number of slaughtered trees. He also directed that the concerned department would be responsible for at least 5 years maintenance of these plants. He also asked the PWD officials to plant good-looking and blossoming trees on the sides of roads in Amritsar. Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Mr. P.S. Aujla, Secretary PWD, Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat, Mr.Tarun Chugh BJP leader, Chief Engineer PWD Mr. J.R. Bains, Mr. Pardeep Sabharwal, Commissioner Municipal Corporation and officers of various departments.