Announcing that Amritsar will be made the “tourism capital of northern India”, Punjab local Bodies, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday said that all measures were being taken to unlock the potential of Amritsar and give visitors a programmed visit to this place and tourism spots of surrounding areas.
Sidhu, who visited various tourist destinations in Amritsar along with team of consultants, media and officials from the Tourism Department, said: “We will make Amritsar the tourism capital of north India. This is not a hollow boast but a dream that will be fulfilled in totality.”
Stressing that the tourists landing in Amritsar will be brought under a detailed programme, he said that itineraries will be prepared and the tourists will be brought here under five-day itinerary to start with and we intend to further stretch it to seven-day programme. “India begins here, so our aim is to bring maximum people here and see the rich glory of region. We have Rs 590 crores and around Rs 100 to 200 crores will be coming from the Central Government to make the entire programme more congenial and tourist friendly,” he said. Detailing further on the plans to boost tourism in the city, Sidhu said: “Town Hall will be a complete food street on the lines of lahore. As Amritsar is known for its food, we will have 146 delicacies in that food street.”
Apart from this, five to six additional rooms will be kept there for the dying arts of Punjab. We are committed to make them self reliant and crown them, he added.
The Minister further announced that an Aerocity will be developed in Amritsar on the lines of Delhi. “We will be developing an Aerocity. It can be in the heart of city or close to the airport with around 20 hotels. Apart from the top end hotels, we also intend to have hotels which are affordable for all and not very expensive.”
Detailing about the itineraries followed so far by the Tourism Department, Sidhu said: “As we have itineraries that can be further polished, there are also plans to bring in international tour operators. Once the plan gets rolling, tourists will be received and facilitated in and around Amritsar. This will be a great tourism circuit.”