Sidhu for no-construction zone around Kartarpur gurdwara

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, January 17

Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu will request Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to declare Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara and its surroundings as a no-construction zone.

“The place (Kartarpur Sahib) belonged to our Guru where he had ploughed fields also. Those fields are still there so it’s important that the place should remain intact. I am writing to Khan to declare the place as a no-construction zone to keep its sanctity intact,” said Sidhu, who was in the town to inspect the ongoing developmental works at the Chhatbir Zoo here today.

“I am sure my elder brother (Imran Khan) will concede my request which is being made on the behalf of all Sikhs and Punjabis,” he said, adding that the letter would be sent in a day or two.

On being asked about his purpose of visit at the zoo, Sidhu said he came there to inspect certain development projects on which his department had spent around Rs 7.9 crore.

“Our certain initiatives in direction of upgrading facilities here have boosted the footfall at the zoo. If compare this year’s data with the last year’s, a substantial increase of 60 per cent in the footfall has been witnessed here. “The footfall here has witnessed an upswing by 60 per cent as 9 lakh visitors came here last year, which is an increase of more than 3 lakh, as the number earlier was nearly 5.5 lakh in 2017,” said Sidhu, adding that the target was to take this number to 10 lakh this year.

Under the development project at the zoo, an entrance gate with the theme of conservation of wildlife has been constructed. Besides, a new ticket counter, a holistic food plaza has been provided. Apart from this, an interpretation centre having a lobby, two exhibition halls, and an audio visual room have also been constructed. A children’s park with the theme of jungle training and adventure sports facilities has been provided in the zoo.

“Now we are intending to spend Rs 5 crore to set up a state-of-the-art aquarium at the zoo.

Sidhu also inaugurated a special tourism bus, which would promote tourism in the state.