Once again, several development projects miss deadline

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 6

Much to discomfort of commuters, the deadline of several development projects, whose construction is under way in the holy city, has been extended for one more time.

The development was confirmed by Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, PS Aujala, after inspecting undergoing development projects here today. He said all major infrastructure and tourism related projects would be thrown open to the public by the new deadline.

The ongoing projects include the popular Golden Temple entrance plaza, Bhagwan Valmiki Temple in Ram Tirath area, war memorial, district administrative complex, welcome gate on the GT road from Jalandhar, bus rapid transit system (BRTS) and the Gobindgarh Fort, which is undergoing restoration.

According to the new deadline, all projects will be completed by October this year. Many of these projects were to kick start by July. The people are likely to be concerned more with the delay in commissioning of the BRTS project, which has skipped another cut-off date.

With a total length of 30.73 km, the BRTS project passes through most busy roads of the city including Albert Road, Bhandari Bridge loop, Bhandari Bridge roundabout to Daburji bypass, Central Core Hussainpura Chowk to Celebration Mall to Kitchlu Chowk to Albert Road junction, SSSS Chowk to Crystal Chowk, NH bypass to Verka Canal, Celebration Mall to NH bypass and the railway overbridge at Verka.

A majority of these roads have become narrow or are in a deplorable condition, leading to frequent traffic jams. The public is keenly awaiting opening of the BRTS routes and re-laying of roads so that driving conditions improve.

Similarly, tourists coming to the holy city in vehicles from Jalandhar side are inconvenienced due to the under construction welcome gate. Their ordeal is going to prolong with the skipping off another time limit.

Players of the hospitality industry keenly waiting commissioning of the Gobindgarh Fort feel saddened with the delay in its opening. They feel that the project along with under-construction Heritage Village has potential to extend the stay of tourists in the holy city.

Apart from these, Aujla also reviewed progress of six-lane roads, bridges, laying of sewerage and water pipes, besides other civil works.

He instructed the staff to ensure that during the ongoing construction of these infrastructure projects, commuters and tourists are not put to inconvenience. He said departments concerned must work together to facilitate smooth flow of the traffic.

Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam, Municipal Commissioner Sonali Giri, Akali leaders Gurpratap Singh Tikka and Navdeep Singh Goldy, Senior Deputy Mayor Avtar Singh Truckawala and Amritsar Development Authority chief administrator Sandeep Rishi were present among others during the meeting.