Govt accepts plans to develop Anandpur Sahib, Talwandi Sabo

New Delhi, Dec 26 (UNI) Bowing to the wishes of the Sikh community, the Centre today said it had agreed in principle to the proposals of the Punjab Government for the development of historical places of Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo, and a Cabinet Note in this connection would be moved soon.

The development programmes of Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo will cost the exchequer Rs 183 crores.

The plans relate to the development of street lights and fire fighting services, which are to be taken up by the state government.

This was decided at a meeting of the Sub-Committee for Commemoration of Tercentenary of Guru-ta-Gaddi of Shri Guru Granth Sahib, which was held here today.

The meeting, presided over by Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni, was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, state Congress Legislature Party leader Rajender Kaur Bhattal, besides Sukhdev Libra, MP, and K P Rana and Sant Ajit Singh, MLAs.

Union Culture Secretary Abhijit Sengupta and senior officials of the Punjab government also attended the meeting.

Ms Soni said the National Highway from Talwandi Sabo to Nanded is proposed to be named after Guru Gobind Singh, and this project would be developed by the Centre.

She also informed the meeting that the Maharashtra government had prepared a developmental plan of Rs 817 crore for commemoration of tercentenary of Guru-ta-Gaddi of Shri Guru Granth Sahib.

The event is planned to be held in October 2008 in Nanded (Maharashtra), and it is likely to attract 25-30 lakhs pilgrims from all over the world.

Mr Badal thanked Ms Soni and the Centre for readily agreeing to the development projects at Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo.

He said all the Chief Ministers of the states, through which the proposed Guru Gobind Singh National Highway would pass, had welcomed the move and assured all assistance for upgrading the route.

UNI