Restoring the holy city’s lost heritage, the Punjab Government is making efforts to make the areas surrounding the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh to live up to the international standards.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, in a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the implementation of developing Amritsar as a smart city, said that 500-metre stretch from Phuwara Chowk to the Golden Temple would be developed as “world’s best street”.
“The detailed project report is ready and work would commence by August 2015 after completing tendering and allocation formalities,” said Sukhbir after a power point presentation and a brainstorming session with the project consultants.
“The project would be completed within a year…At Phuwara Chowk, a statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh would be installed with a huge fountain atop. The fountain would showcase cascading waterfalls, water animations, computerised water show and would emerge as a 'thing of beauty' in the city,” he said.
He said that this would be coupled with the façade development and beautification of the earmarked stretch "under a uniform theme" with red sandstone having uniform signages.
To add magnificence to the street, Sukhbir suggested the consultants that total pathway should be well lit 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. It was also decided to transform 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, beautification of Town Hall building would also commence to transform it into a State Museum,” he added.