Deputy CM unveils Amritsar master plan

The Integrated Master Plan for Amritsar was unveiled by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday,following a high-level meeting at Chandigarh. In a statement issued here,Sukhbir said various development works would be flagged off in the city shortly,and a committee of officials from various departments had been set up to give its report on the project for city’s upgrade within a month. Badal government has been accused of ignoring the city and the rest of the Majha region ever since the SAD-BJP came into power. “The residents of Amritsar can hope for a permanent solution to the biggest eyesore,the Ganda Nala at the periphery of city,” said Sukhbir.

Tourism Minister Hira Singh Gabria,besides principal secretaries and heads of various departments,participated in the meet. “Amritsar has the potential to emerge as a tourist hub if we are able to prolong the stay of pilgrims coming to the city by a few days and attract more international tourists,” said the statement. Development of the historic Town Hall and adjoining area as place of heritage importance has also been approved. “The offices in Town Hall will be shifted to an alternate location and the area would be developed by the tourism department in association with the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB),” he added. It was also approved that the city would have round-the-clock bus service and Sulabh International would be asked to construct and maintain 33 toilets in the city.