Sidhwan Canal to be developed as picnic spot

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 19

Sidhwan Canal — known as the lifeline of the city — will be developed as a picnic spot. Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu and MP Ravneet Singh Bittu sought suggestions from residents to make it a ‘Unique Model of Development’ in Punjab.

They held a meeting with the representatives of NGOs and announced to prepare a detailed project report in Kochar Market on Saturday.

Ashu said: “Sidhwan Canal is the lifeline of Ludhiana, which is the industrial hub of the state. It will be developed as a picnic spot so that residents have a destination for fun in the city and they spend some time with their families.”

He exhorted residents to come forward and give suggestions for a complete facelift of the canal and its surroundings. He said in the first phase, various types of saplings would be planted around the canal’s areas and landscaping would be done. Further, facilities such as boating, water games and floating restaurant would be provided, he said, adding that LED lights would be installed, which would attract residents during night.Further, iron grills would also be installed to stop garbage and worship material from being thrown into the canal, he said.

He said priests were also being made aware and being requested by the authorities to advise devotees not to throw worship material into the canal. MP Ravneet Singh Bittu said the Punjab Government had given preference to Ludhiana’s development and the upcoming leisure valleys in the city will make it more beautiful.