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Tourism, infrastructure our priority areas, says Amritsar Mayor Moti Bhatia

Newly elected Mayor of Amritsar Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia assumed office on Thursday and pledged to work for the city’s development. In an interaction with Amritsar Tribune, the new Mayor underlined his vision on various issues confronting the city. Excerpts:...
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Amritsar MC Mayor Ja0tinder Singh Moti Bhatia
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Newly elected Mayor of Amritsar Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia assumed office on Thursday and pledged to work for the city’s development. In an interaction with Amritsar Tribune, the new Mayor underlined his vision on various issues confronting the city. Excerpts:

1. After your appointment as Mayor, you have repeatedly emphasised on addressing sanitation, water and sewerage problems in the city. However, for the past two and a half years, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been in power in the state, yet you failed to deliver. What will you do differently now? Do you have a concrete roadmap?

There were technical issues that delayed the Municipal Corporation (MC) elections. The Local Bodies Department plays a crucial role in this. Every councillor makes efforts for progress within the MC House, but in the absence of an elected House, development suffered. Now, with 85 elected councillors, each acting as a watchdog for their ward and bridge between the administration and public, we can work effectively.

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2. AAP leaders and MC officials have repeatedly announced that the government will allocate Rs 100 crore for the city. When will these funds be received for road and infrastructure development?

Senior leaders, including Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, visited the city two days ago. He assured us that there is no shortage of funds. He entrusted me with the responsibility of identifying key issues, initiating development projects, and ensuring their timely completion.

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3. Around 1,000 illegal hotels have overloaded the city’s sewerage system and put immense pressure on the existing infrastructure. Residents and visitors in the inner city are suffering. As a hotelier yourself and member of the Hoteliers Association, do you support the residents or the hoteliers?

I will act as a bridge between the hoteliers and the government. We are working on a policy to regularise illegal hotels so that the government receives revenue and the hotel owners get necessary relaxations. However, we will not allow any new illegal hotel constructions. Strict action will be taken against unauthorised construction.

4. The government has failed to streamline the functioning of the solid waste management company hired by the MC. Despite repeated announcements, there has been no significant improvement in its operations. What steps will you take?

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government signed a 25-year contract with the solid waste management company. I have instructed officials to provide me with details of the contract as this issue is my priority. A meeting will soon be held to review garbage collection and processing. The MC is paying money to the company, yet they are not performing efficiently. We will take necessary action to resolve this.

5. Amritsar has great tourism potential, but the city has failed to develop tourist-friendly infrastructure. What is your vision for tourism development?

Being associated with the tourism industry for several years, I understand that tourism cannot flourish with filthy streets and choked sewers. Addressing these issues will be my top priority. Not just tourists, but devotees from across the country visit Amritsar to pay obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib. Our government is committed to making serious efforts to promote tourism and enhance infrastructure in the city.

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