Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Tuesday announced to dedicate the Golden Temple Plaza to the devotees this Diwali.
Reviewing the progress of ongoing construction work of world class plaza being developed at a cost of Rs 78 crore, Sukhbir said that it would be dedicated to devotees this Diwali “as the work of this prestigious project is in advanced stage of completion”.
Sukhbir, visiting the plaza site to take stock of ongoing construction, asked the authorities to ensure completion well before this Diwali to make upcoming festival special for devotees coming to pay obeisance from all over the world.
He directed the officers concerned to conclude the internal decoration and beautification of plaza besides reducing congestion around the plaza by strictly prohibiting the access of vehicles near it for the facilitation of devotees.
Also taking notice of congestion on main roads of the city due to pushcarts, Sukhbir directed the Municipal Corporation officers to remove all rehris selling fruits and veggies on the sides of main roads. He also asked them to initiate cleanliness process of all roads, streets and other places only during night hours with heavy machines to avoid hindrances during day time.
He said that the work of giving traditional look to passage from Hall Gate to Golden Temple should be started from Sri Darbar Sahib side by ensuring completion of first phase up to Town Hall.
This project would give a unique and traditional shape and look to the whole passage with world class landscaping, fountain, trees and beautification, said Sukhbir adding that electricity poles already existing in this passage should also be removed.
On setting up of proposed Apollo Hospital, he asked the district administration to identify appropriate chunk of land for the purpose so that physical work on this project could be initiated at the earliest. “With this project, the holy city would become a hub of healthcare with availability of world class treatment facilities,” he said.
Sukhbir directed local administration to engage services of world class companies for landscaping of entire city, roads, roundabouts and other prominent places so it could be developed as main tourist place in the country. He also asked to prepare the design of Circuit House accordingly.
Issuing strict directions to all officers, the Deputy Chief Minister said that any kind of laxity would not be tolerated and the responsible officers or officials would have to face the flak since the world class development of holy city was one of the top agenda of SAD-BJP alliance.
He also reviewed ongoing work of widening of roads, BRTS, beautification of roundabouts, under construction entry gates, War Memorial, Gobindgarh Fort, Solid Waste Management, Sewerage Treatment Plant, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Memorial, world class parking at Wagah border etc.