Urban Haat to boost tourism in Amritsar : The Tribune India

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Urban Haat to boost tourism in Amritsar

AMRITSAR: Tourists visiting Amritsar would soon have an added attraction to look forward to in the form of Urban Haat having a food street and a craft bazaar on the lines of Lahore’s food street.

Urban Haat to boost tourism in Amritsar

Labourers work at the site for the Urban Haat project in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar



Perneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 4

Tourists visiting Amritsar would soon have an added attraction to look forward to in the form of Urban Haat having a food street and a craft bazaar on the lines of Lahore’s food street.

The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) has already embarked on the ambitious project that involves renovation and reconstruction of the heritage building of the erstwhile Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital located in the heart of the city.

The project is aimed at prolonging the stay of tourists in the city who otherwise leave after visiting key destinations like Golden Temple and Wagah Border. The Urban Haat would give an opportunity to the tourists to savour authentic Amritsari cuisine, besides experiencing Punjabi traditions, craftsmanship and culture.

PUDA’s Additional Chief Administrator (ACA) Sandeep Rishi said, “The project has two components, a food street and a craft bazaar. The work on both is underway. There will also be an open air theatre and a souvenir shop.” He said though the deadline for the project was June, they expected it to be completed by August this year.

PUDA SDO Narinderjit Singh, who is monitoring the project work, said the work was in progress on a war footing. Around 80 per cent of the work on the interiors had been completed, he added. He said the building was in a dilapidated condition when it was handed over to them for starting the Urban Haat project.

“We have not only strengthened the building structure, but also restored it. Some portions of the building were altered by the hospital authorities; we’ve restored those portions to their original form. Some damaged arches have also been restored. For restoration, we are using materials similar to the ones already used in the building.”

He said the Urban Haat would also have ample parking facility for the tourists. The site is being developed by PUDA in consultation with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) that has developed such “haats” in cities like Bhopal and Agartala.

Spread over 9.7 acres, the Urban Haat will have a craft appreciation centre, a souvenir shop, Punjab emporiums, food court (capacity: 400), restaurants, open-air theatre, plazas, eating joints, craft bazaar, exhibition and meeting rooms, administrative complex, kitchens, green rooms, gym and spa.

The project will cost around Rs 9 crore. Those associated with the project say their focus is to ensure productive reuse of structures that have historic, architectural and cultural value. “Common guidelines have been formulated to retain authenticity, minimum intervention, cost-effective economic regeneration, use of traditional techniques and material for the project,” they say.

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