Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister , Punjab today said that countdown has begun for the disgraceful exit of Congress led UPA Government and people of this country were now itching to kick out this serial scam tainted government that has demolished the economic structure of the country.Talking to media persons after a whirlwind tour of Ludhiana city to oversee the progress of development works initiated during last six years, Mr. Badal accompanied by Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue Minister said that it was unfortunate that economic situations were so bad that the investors’ confidence was at the lowest ebb.
He said that with Rupee plunging to record low of Rs. 62 against $, GDP growth plunging to 4.5%, industrial production recording minus three percent degrowth and people getting crushed by record price hike of essential commodities besides weekly price rise of petrol and diesel, the country was facing the one of the worst ever economic crisis. He said that situation was so alarming that international rating agencies have downgrading the rating of country to negative forcing the investors to flee from the country. He said that it was for the first time that Multi National Companies and business communities were openly speaking against the irrational economic policies of the Union Government.
Badal said that he was surprised that Union Government failed to come out with the cohesive economic policies to take country forward on the path of growth as every Union Ministry was chartering the separate agenda. He said that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was mute spectator to destruction of Indian Economic System as every minister with its contradictory policy was digging the grave of Congress led UPA Government. Mr. Badal said that the Ludhiana was the heart of Punjab and by ensuring growth of the Ludhiana and its surrounding areas he was trying to give a big push to the development of the state. He said that he has segregated the development works totalling to Rs. 2499 crore for Ludhiana in two phases. In the first phase to be completed in next one year, he was planning to provide 100% water supply, sewerage network connectivity besides concrete roads in all the localities.
He said that wherever possible in the new colonies storm water disposal network would also be laid. Sukhbir said that he was visualising Ludhiana as the future business hub of the country and he was upgrading its infrastructure keeping in view the challenges of next 50 years. Mr. Badal said that today he would be giving presentation to the elected representatives of Ludhiana to give them a feel of the development plan and he would prioritise the execution of plan as per feedback received from them. Mr. Badal said that in the first priority the development works to be completed in next one year including 8 laning of Ferozepur Road (Jagraon Road to Sidhwan Canal), RUB at Bharat Nagar Chowk, RUB at Bhai Wala Chowk, RUB at Malhar Road T Junction, Rejuvenation of Buddah Nullah, Upgradtion of Hambran Road, Upgradtion of Kaka Marriage Palace Road, Remodeling of Fountain Chowk, Upgradation of Pakhowal Road, ROB at Pakhowal Road, Parking Complex at Feroze Gandhi Market and Robotic Parking complex at Mata Rani Chowk. He said that these all road projects would be completed at the cost of Rs. 398.35 crore. In the priority two roads, Mr .Badal suggested 13 road projects including Upgradation/Widening of Chandigarh Road, Under Pass at Vardhaman Chowk, Under Pass at Jamalpur Chowk, Upgradation of Link Road (Bharat Nagar Chowk to Samrala Chowk), Flyover Across Cheema Chowk, Upgradation of Old GT Road (Sherpur Chowk to Jalandhar Byepass , Upgradation of Jagraon Bridge, Down Ramp at Reikhy Cinema Road, Upgradation of Gill Road (Vishawkarma Chowk to MC Limit), Upgradaton of Rahon Road, Upgradation of Ishmeet Singh Road (Pakhowal Road to Ati Chowk), Upgradation of Dugri Road from Preet Palace to Dugri and ROB at Dana Mandi. He said that priority two projects with combined project cost of Rs. 242.80 crore would begin next year and be completed in two years.
Focusing on upgradation of inner link roads of the city, Mr. Badal approved Rs. 600 crore and Municipal Corporation Ludhiana, Improvement Trust Ludhiana and GLADA would collectively complete the upgradatoin of interior arteries of city.
Concerned over parking chaos all over the city, Mr. Badal approved 11robotic parking projects at Sarabha Nagar, Chaura Bazaar, Old Court Complex, Ghumar Mandi, DMCH, Model Town, BBMB Power House, Samrala Chowk, Shimlapuri, Rahon Road and Indira Colony to be constructed at the cost of Rs. 128.3 crore. He also approved Rs. 242 crore for Solid Waste Management Project and other projects.Stressing on the need for strengthening City Bus Service, Mr. Badal said that order has already been placed for 160 more buses and more buses would be run on the routes of City Bus including Ayali Chowk to Gill Village, Bus Stand to Gurdwara Aalamgir Sahib, Kohara to Ayali Khurd, Metro to Green City and Sahnewal to Meharbaan. He said that he has approved Intelligent Transit Management System that would include GPS based Automatic Vehicle Locating System and Public Information System through digital display of arrival and departure of buses and MC has been asked to look for private players to supply the ITMS software.
Badal also visited the indoor stadium being constructed by Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana as suggested certain changes in the project plan to make it flexible for multiple sports besides having World Class Sports Infrastructure. He asked the MC to complete this project on priority and so that International Tournaments could be organised at the earliest. He asked the MC to construct multi storey parking on the vacant 2 acre plot so that spectators coming to the stadium do not face any problem. The stadium would be completed in next one year. Asking Commissioner Municipal Corporation Ludhiana to put up a plan for construction of 20000 flats for slum dwellers and labourers, Badal approved construction of 4832 houses for slum dwellers to be constructed at the cost of Rs. 33.5 crore. It was informed that 1600 houses were ready for possession and Sukhbir would himself hand over the keys to slum dwellers on August 15, 2013.
Badal also visited the sites of various development projects in the city and asked the officials to ensure total quality control while executing the projects. The Deputy CM also visited the residence of Mr. Manpreet Singh Ayali to share his grief on the demise of his father recently. He also visited the residence of M.S. Bhogal, cycle industry entrepreneur, to condole the death that industrialist that has brought cycle industry of Ludhiana on the world map. Mr. Badal also visited the residence of industrialist Munish Brara, whose son was abducted few days back and safely rescued by Ludhiana Police with the recovery of Rs. 5 crore ranson and assured total support of Punjab Police to provide safety to the all Ludhiana residents. Mr. Badal lauded the role of Punjab Police for swiftly cracking the case and said that professional approach adopted by Punjab Police was appreciable.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, PWD Minister, Mr. Maheshinder Grewal, Advisor to CM, Mr. Balwinder Singh Bains and Mr. Simranjit Singh Bains, both MLA, Mr. Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, Mayor Ludhiana, Mr. Satpal Gosain and Mr. Hira Singh Gabria both former Ministers, Mr. Rajinder Bhandari, former BJP State president, Mr. Parveen Bansal, District President BJP, Mr. Madan Lal Bagga, SAD Leader and senior officers of various departments.