Govt announces infra upgrade of Rs60 lakh

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 26

As this year marks the 400th Parkash Purb of Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur, the state government announced to upgrade the infrastructure of narrow winding roads leading to his birthplace Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahal, situated in the walled city, with an investment of Rs 60 lakh.

Cabinet Minister OP Soni announced this after paying obeisance at the historic gurdwara and holding a meeting with its management.

He elaborated that Rs 10 lakh would be invested to raise a beautiful gate and the rest of the Rs 50 lakh would be utilised to carry out repairs, cleanliness, electrical and other works on the arterial roads leading to the Sikh shrine.

He stated the civil work of Rs 72 lakh was already under way from Darshani Deorhi to Chowk Chaurasti Attari, Guru Bazaar, Khoo Bombay Walla and Toba Bhai Sallo Ji. All these roads are situated around the historic Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal.

Soni assured that all these works would be completed before December 19, which is the martyrdom day of the Sikh Guru, who is also known as Hind Di Chadar.

On the behalf of the gurdwara’s management, Baba Satnam Singh felicitated Soni, Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu, Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira, Police Commissioner SS Gill, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Komal Mittal and Market Committee Chairman Arun Kumar Pappal with Siropas.

Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu called upon the residents of the area not to park their vehicles on the roads which are already very congested. He said it would obstruct the flow of sangat who would be visiting the shrine in a large number to celebrate the quatercentenary Parkash Purb.

It is believed that Guru Ramdas, who had founded the city, used to live at the historic Sikh shrine, which is close to the Golden Temple. Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Hargobind had got married here. Guru Teg Bahadur and Baba Atal Rai were born here.