10 years on, work on PGI satellite centre begins in Ferozepur

Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, January 19

After remaining stuck up in procedural wrangles for almost 10 years, the construction work of the PGI satellite centre has finally started in the border town.

As per information, Rs 238 crore construction work of the centre along with a 100-bed hospital and allied services and facilities, which was initially allocated to HLL Infra Tech Services Limited, a government enterprise, has been further allocated to a Delhi-based private company. Sources said the entire construction work would be completed within 20 months.

After the construction of the satellite centre and hospital, a medical college would also be setup here, the sources said, while adding that an estimated amount of Rs 500 crore would be spent on the project in the first phase.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the project in January 2023. However, he had to return after his cavalcade was blocked by few protestors on the outskirts of the city.

Later, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had planned to lay the foundation stone of the project sanctioned way back in 2013. However, twice during his visit, the stone laying ceremony was cancelled for one reason or the other.

Though the construction work has started, the project is awaiting a VVIP for its formal inauguration which might be held next month.

Former Congress MLA Parminder Singh Pinki and party workers offered “Ardas” (Prayers) at the construction site. “Initially, the SAD- BJP government delayed the project deliberately. Later, this project became victim of “political theatrics”. However, I was making persistent efforts and following up the matter. Finally, the work has started,” said Pinki.