With the motive of making Golden Temple area free from traffic chaos and air pollution, the administration has imposed more restrictions for vehicles near the shrine on Tuesday.
Till Tuesday, bollards were installed only at Fuwara Chowk and all kinds of vehicles were not allowed to go beyond it. Another barricading has now been installed near Santokhsar Sahib near Town Hall.
These barricades are installed only to restrict three-wheelers and four-wheelers, which is a relief for two-wheeler drivers. They will be allowed to go till Saragari Chowk.
These step have been taken as the area from Town Hall to Fuwara Chowk has been beautified and revamped, giving it a heritage look that needs to be maintained, said the authorities.
Initially, shopkeepers, traders and residents irked over the move as they were afraid that the move will affect their business.
To press the government to meet their demands, they undertook agitations, but deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal remained firm on the decision.
The shopkeepers now have to load goods for their shops via Katra Ahluwalia and other markets that are congested and narrow. Government’s plan is to convert all roads leading to the Golden Temple into pedestrian zone.
“The arrival of devotees and tourists has increased since the facelift. Keeping the visitors’ comfort in mind, the move was needed,” said deputy commissioner Basant Garg.
{{/usCountry}}“The arrival of devotees and tourists has increased since the facelift. Keeping the visitors’ comfort in mind, the move was needed,” said deputy commissioner Basant Garg.
{{/usCountry}}DC REVIEWS PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT WORK
Deputy commissioner Basant Garg reviewed the progress of development projects being executed in the city on Tuesday.
These projects include beatification around Golden Temple, Bhagwan Balmiki shrine’s beatification at Ram Tirath, District Administrative Complex, Circuit House, corridors and Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS). Garg visited construction sites for the projects and directed the officials concerned and contractors to speed up the work and complete it timely.
He asked them to ensure that no one face inconvenience during the construction. DC asked the workers not to comprise with quality of work.
He also visited sites for widening of roads, laying sewerage system and pipes for water supply.