Jalandhar to be country’s first sports city
Rachna Khaira
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, September 20
Giving a boost to the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) and the cash-crunched Municipal Corporation of Jalandhar (MCJ) in the city, Jalandhar was selected in the third list of 27 smart cities announced today by Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu.
With this, the city is all set to be the first sports city in the country. It is now entitled to receive Rs 12,000 crore over the next five years. Mayor Sunil Jyoti said it would give a boost to the sports industry and would also generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region.
He said while 63 acres in Burlton Park would be developed as a sports hub, various other projects, including CNG transport, LED street lights and 24-hour water and power supply, would improve the living conditions of residents.
The state government will now form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) which will further implement the development works in phases. The SPV comprising distinguished experts in their fields will carry out the works mentioned in vision documents.
Major fillip to BJP
Jalandhar is a major vote bank for the BJP as Punjab Cabinet Minister Bhagat Chunni Lal, MLA Manoranjan Kalia and MLA KD Bhandari are holding all three Assembly constituencies in the city. While Bhagat Chunni Lal is an MLA from Jalandhar (West), Manoranjan Kalia is MLA from Jalandhar (Central) and KD Bhandari is an MLA from Jalandhar (North). Also, senior BJP leader and City Mayor Sunil Jyoti enjoys complete majority with 21 party councillors and 12 SAD councillors and also five Independent councillors.
Area-based development: An overview
Under the Smart City plan, the proposed area for development included land around DAV College level crossing, HMV College, Football Chowk, Babrik Chowk and Bist Doab Canal. The area was to be developed as a mixed society with 63 acres in Burlton Park, specifically earmarked for the development of sports infrastructure.
Also, the presence of a fresh water canal will ensure 24-hour water supply for drinking purposes and landscaping will be done around banks. Tracks for recreational events like cycling will be constructed along with the canal bed.
Out of the 60 acres earmarked for Development of sports hub, 10 acres was planned for commercial purposes. A multi-level parking, a five-star hotel, shopping plazas. And the rest of the 50 acres were planned to be used for construction of stadiums.
Many milestones to cross: DC
“The selection of Jalandhar in the Smart City project is just the beginning. We have many milestones to cross in the next five years. With people’s support, we hope to achieve our aim of making the city an international sports hub,” said KK Yadav, Deputy Commissioner.
