Modi to preside over Nov 9 event: Sukhbir

CM AMARINDER WILL LAUNCH A SERIES OF LONG-TERM PROJECTS FOR THE SEVERAL TOWNS AND AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOUNDER OF SIKH FAITH

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the function to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak at Sultanpur Lodhi on November 9.

Addressing a ‘Gurmat Samagam’ as part of the anniversary celebrations at Asansol in West Bengal, Sukhbir said President Ram Nath Kovind will preside over the main event on November 12 while Union home minister Amit Shah and chief ministers of various states will attend the function on November 11.

He said several events will be held in the holy city from November 1 to November 12.

Inviting the devotees from West Bengal to visit Sultanpur Lodhi during the celebrations, the SAD president also urged them to visit Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. He said the Kartarpur corridor will be opened on November 9 and devotees could avail this opportunity to visit the historic shrine there.

₹27 CR RELEASED FOR SULTANPUR LODHI SMART CITY PROJECT

The Centre has released the first advance installment, amounting to ₹27.11 crore, from funds earmarked for Sultanpur Lodhi Smart City project, slated for launch on the historic occasion of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak.

The estimated cost of the project under the Smart Cities Mission, amounts to ₹271.11 crore, and is to be shared equally by the Government of India and the state government. The fun is scheduled to be released in three installments in the ratio of 20:40:40.

Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh will launch a series of long-term development projects for the several towns and regions associated with the founder of the Sikh faith during the anniversary celebrations. The Sultanpur Lodhi Smart City project is the most prominent of them all.

In its letter to the state government, the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs has said the sanction will be regulated according to the provision of GFR 2017, and the amount is to be used as a tied grant, to be kept as a separate city level grant. The project is stipulated to be completed in a maximum of three years. The third installment will be released on furnishing of utilisation certificates for at least 75% of the composite share of central and Punjab government, said an official spokesperson.