Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* Giant waterfall with statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh atop to be a major tourist attraction
* Saragarhi parking to have electronic façade signage equipped like the Times Square
* Renovation of Guru Nanak auditorium on cards
* Town Hall building would to be transformed into a state museum
Amritsar, May 19 – Restoring the heritage of the holy city, Sri Harmandir Sahib and Jallianwala Bagh surrounding area would be made to live up to the international standards, disclosed Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal in a high level meeting convened here today to review the implementation of developing Amritsar as a smart city.
After a power point presentation and a brainstorming session with the project consultants, Mr Badal informed that 500m stretch of road from Chowk Phuwara to Golden Temple would be developed as “world’s best street”. “The detailed project report is ready and work would commence on it by August 2015 after completing tendering and allocation formalities, he added.”
Informing that the project would be completed within a year, Mr. Badal said at the Chowk Phuwara round about a statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh atop and huge fountain would be built. This fountain would showcase cascading waterfalls, water animations, computerized water show and would emerge as a ‘thing of beauty’ in the city. This will be coupled with the façade development and beautification of the earmarked stretch.
Mr Badal said the façade of buildings in the area including Dharam Singh market would be beautified under a uniform theme, with red sand stone and would have uniform signage. The automatic bombards would be installed near the main fountain, demarking the further stretch as pedestrian pathway having all amenities. He added that ample plantation and Punjab heritage related sculpture in front of Dharam Singh Market would be done besides a tall sculpture related to freedom struggle near Jallianwala Bagh.
To add magnificence to the street he suggested the consultants that total pathway should be well lit up and information kiosks displaying weather information, electronic signage and tastefully chosen street lights would be installed. Moreover, the statues of stalwarts of Punjab would also be installed on the suitable spots.
Another main highlight of this prestigious project is transformation of the façade of Saragarhi parking area into an electronic façade signage equipped with LED video screens, on the pattern of Times Square, New York. A food court would also be developed opposite Dharm Singh market. Along with this project, the beautification of Town Hall building would also commence to transform it into a State Museum.
Mr. Badal reiterated that the holy city would witness a radical change within a year as all the projects related to 100% sewage and water supply, development of roads, flyovers including solid waste management project would be accomplished in a comprehensive manner under its master plan.
In a bid to provide the historic city with a state of art convention centre, it was decided to expand and renovate the Guru Nanak Auditorium near the inter-state bus stand. Deputy Chief Minister along with officers concerned personally visited the venue to review the extent and scope of extension of this auditorium.
Deputy CM also directed the PWD department to get horticulture and landscaping of all major roads including Jalandhar-Amritsar road and airport road completed at the earliest.
Among others present in the meeting included Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, Tarun Chugh, Upkar Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary to Deputy CM P.S. Aujla, Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat, Commissioner Police J.S. Aulakh, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Pardeep Sabbarwal and Chairman Improvement Trust Sandeep Rishi.
