Roads to be named after artists, historians

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 13

To mark the contribution of eminent personalities from the field of art and culture and noted historians, the Public Works Department (PWD) has amended its policy of naming roads and buildings.

PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla said on Friday prior to this amendment, roads or buildings were named only after religious personalities, gallantry awardees, war martyrs, freedom fighters or Olympics or world-level championship winners.

“Our government has decided to include noted historians and renowned personalities of Punjab. The first road as per this amendment has been named after renowned Punjabi historian Giani Ditt Singh,” the minister said.

He added that after the approval of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the Kharar-Bassi Pathana road had been named after Giani Ditt Singh in honour of his contribution towards society. He said special repair of this 12.45-km road was also underway at an estimated cost of Rs 4.68 crore which would be completed by March 31, 2021.

Singla said Giani Ditt Singh was known as scholar, poet, editor, besides a distinguished historian. He was an eminent Singh Sabha reformer, who wrote over 70 books, including famous “Khalsa Akhbar”.