Admn sets July as deadline for wrapping up most Amritsar projects

The hardships city residents are facing due to the ongoing development works may end by July this year as the administration plans to wrap up the project by that time.

The hardships city residents are facing due to the ongoing development works may end by July this year as the administration plans to wrap up the project by that time.

The multi-level parking at Durgiana Temple is still far from complete. (HT Photo)

Due to ongoing work, roads have been dug up at a number of places, leading to traffic snarls, besides pollution. Most of

the projects have already surpassed their deadlines, prolonging the period of hardships of the residents.

Every time of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal visits Amritsar, he reviews progress and directs the officers to speed-up the pace of work. But, going by the conditions, officials seem in no urgency to complete the work. Currently, work is underway on projects such as Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) that is aimed at changing the face of local transportation, Golden Temple Plaza (basement), War Memorial, sewerage project, beautification of area between Town Hall to Golden Temple, Entrance Gate, Durgiana Mandir beautification, construction of district administrative complex and food-street.

The work is on in full swing as government wants to wrap the projects up at the earliest.

Amritsar deputy commissioner Varun Roojam said, “Definitely work is underway on a number of projects. We are reviewing the progress from time to time. We are very positive that most of the projects will be completed by July.”

On BRTS project that entails a major part of the city, Roojam said, “The construction work of BRTS is going on at a good pace and we are certain to get it completed by August.”

Completion of a few projects—including, upgradation of Gobindgarh Fort, sprucing up border for tourists, setting up Heritage Village—is lingering for years.