In Parliament: Smart City projects moving at tardy pace, says Sahney

Anshita Mehra
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 1
Rajya Sabha member from Punjab Vikramjit Singh Sahney raised critical issues concerning the implementation of key infrastructure projects in the state during a parliamentary debate on the Budget allocation for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Khelo India Scheme
During zero hour, Sahney took up the issue of funds under the Khelo India Scheme. He said Punjab contributed 19 athletes to India’s contingent of 117 (16 per cent) for the Paris Olympics, but has got an allocation of ~78 crore, which is only 3.6 per cent of the total funding under the scheme.

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Highlighting the slow progress of the Smart City Mission in the state, Sahney expressed concern over the limited advancement in Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar. “As far as the progress is concerned, out of 72 work orders, only five projects have been completed in these cities,” Sahney said during the session on Wednesday evening.
Sahney also pressed for the introduction of Metro projects in Chandigarh, Ludhiana and their surrounding areas, including Panchkula and Mohali, to address the escalating traffic issues.
He also called for expedited implementation of an underground multi-layer parking facility and an underground tunnel to access Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar, aimed at reducing congestion on the heritage street leading to the sacred site. “The plan for multi-level parking has been going on for the past 10-12 years. I hope the execution happens this year,” Sahney said.