Punjab CM lays stones for five projects in Amritsar

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh yesterday laid foundation stones for five infrastructure projects worth Rs1.27bn in Amritsar, and announced an additional Rs500mn for tubewells to ensure supply of water in the Sikh holy city.

The chief minister also announced a slew of tourism development projects totalling Rs1.87bn for upgrading Amritsar, to showcase it as a global tourism destination.

Singh laid the foundation stone through remote of two railway over bridges, one railway under bridge and a flyover, besides extension of the existing Bhandari bridge.

The inauguration took place in the presence of Local Government Minister and Amritsar legislator Navjot Singh Sidhu, whom Singh credited with facilitating the necessary permissions from the Railways Ministry.

The projects, the chief minister said, would go a long way in boosting the infrastructure of the old town and reducing traffic congestion.

Noting that big cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala were facing acute water problem, the chief minister said with water levels receding, the water received by these regions was becoming unfit for drinking, leading to the spread of diseases.

Announcing his government’s decision to provide canal water to these four cities, the chief minister underlined the need for regular and thorough testing of water.

Sidhu lashed out at the former Akali Dal government for failing to develop the city during its 10year rule.

The Akalis had built only one bridge in 10 years, while the present government had started work on five, he said, adding that tenders were being issued for these projects and work would be completed within a year.