Rs 30 crore central aid for boosting tourism in Amritsar

Amritsar, Oct 9 (UNI) In view of the increase in tourist activity in the Holy City, the Union government has sanctioned an amount of Rs 30 crore to upgrade the tourism infrastructure in the city of the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine.

This announcement was made here today by state Tourism Minister Jagmohan Singh Kang on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Dass, who founded this city.

Addressing mediapersons, the Minister said that in the first phase of this project, a sum of Rs five crore would be spent on beautifying the landscape of the historic Ram Bagh gardens, which had once been the summer capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The landscaping task would be entrusted to Ms Gurmit Rai, a well known archeologist.

The second phase of the project involving an expenditure of Rs 25 crore would involve the overall development of the city, he said. In this phase, for the facility of tourists, parking spaces in the city would be developed and other development activity would also been undertaken, he added.

Regarding the development of the Ram Bagh gardens, he said the museum of Maharaja Ranjit Singh would be repaired and beautified and a new entrance gate would also be constructed.

Mr Kang said that the government had also chalked out a plan to repair the historic Gobindgarh fort, which is preently occupied by the army and the historic village of Serai Amanat Khan.The work of upgrading the Wagah checkpost was also being taken up with central funds, he added.

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