Radial road project in pipeline

Charanjit Singh Teja
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 3
After scrapping the skywalk project for Gurdwara Shaheedan Sahib, the authorities have decided to implement a radial road project to beautify lanes leading to Golden Temple in the city. The radial road project would cost Rs 49.41 crore under which main roads and streets would be developed. Amritsar Smart City Limited (ASCL) officials claimed that with the development of basic infrastructure, various facilities would be provided on these roads. The facades of buildings would be developed and with the expansion of water supply and sewerage network, underground electrical utilities would be provided in the area-based development of walled city.
Harpreet Singh, Chief Executive Officer-cum-Municipal Commissioner said, “We have dropped the skywalk project for Gurdwara Shaheedan Sahib as it was not viable. Now, we have decided to develop the roads leading to the Golden Temple, like Heritage Street. The electric wires would be laid underground. We will provide street furniture, signage and other modern facilities along with façade development of buildings.”
There are four major roads leading to the Golden Temple in the walled city. All these roads face the problem of choked sewers, waterlogging and sanitation. The stretch from Sultanwind Gate to Golden Temple is one of the main roads which are in a pathetic condition. With the announcement of new projects, there is hope that the condition of these lanes would improve.
After inaugurating the skywalk project in March 2023, local authorities dropped the project. The Smart City Advisory Committee recommended dropping the project as it was being observed that construction of the skywalk would congest the space outside the gurdwara and lead to more traffic jams. As per the proposed plan for the skywalk, the authorities were supposed to construct 16 stairs, 16 escalators and seven lifts in the skywalk plaza. There were provisions for amenities such as toilets, tourism info centre and police posts to ensure convenience of devotees.

Advertisement