Unveiling his vision document for Amritsar, BJP candidate Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the city was important from religious and historical points of view, but needed a strong and improved infrastructure that had been hitherto missing.
Recounting his relationship with the holy city, Jaitley said that he had been a regular visitor to his grandparents’ home here since his childhood days.
A CHARMING CITY
The BJP candidate stressed on the need to preserve historical sites and augmenting gardens.
Updating his status on Facebook on Wednesday, Jaitley posted, “It is unquestionably one of the most charming cities in India.”
“It is a historical city founded in the 16th Century. The city has a great religious significance.
Sri Harmandir Sahib gives the city an international importance. Durgiana Mandir, Jallianwala Bagh, Ram Tirath, Attari border and Gobind Garh Fort have religion, culture and history written
all over, ”said Jaitley.
HERITAGE SITES
The senior BJP leader maintained that the heritage sites of the city needed to be preserved and strengthened. “Several old buildings such as Khalsa College need to be projected at the national level as a symbol of high quality education, ”he said.
TOURISM POTENTIAL
“It has a huge ability to attract people. Tourism will always remain a mainstay economic activity in the city, ”he said, adding that he visualise an Amritsar that is connected on all sides by large highways — a city where the internal infrastructure needs to be hugely improved and basic amenities need to be provided to every sections.
TOURISM POTENTIAL
“It has a huge ability to attract people. Tourism will always remain a mainstay economic activity in the city, ”he said, adding that he visualise an Amritsar that is connected on all sides by large highways — a city where the internal infrastructure needs to be hugely improved and basic amenities need to be provided to every sections.
BASIC AMENITIES
“There are large sections that still require water connectivity, sewage and proper streets. Projects under implementation need to be monitored and expedited. Several flyovers and elevated roads need to be built and overhauled. They need to be strengthened and expanded significantly, ”he wrote.
TEXTILE CLUSTER
Stating that the economy of Amritsar primarily depends on tourism, industry and trade, Jaitley says the main industrial activity has to be centred around the creation of a textile cluster, the agricultural tools industry, rice mills, embroidery, jewellery, decorative items and footwear.
CROSS-BORDER TRADE
Jaitley said the infrastructure for opening up of the crossborder trade had been established. “A last push is required to be given to the town to the expansion of the official crossborder trade between India and Pakistan.