Amritsar, April 24
The Centre is keen on completing the fourth phase of “galiara yojna” (beautification of the surroundings of the Golden Temple) to create underground parking, landscaping in front of Darbar Sahib. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jagmohan described it as the most important phase of the project as devotees faced hardship due to continuous traffic bottlenecks, especially at the time of visit of VVIPs.

A decision to this effect was taken at the high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr Jagmohan which was attended by representatives of the SGPC, INTACH, the Municipal Corporation and Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India. Mr Jagmohan assured the meeting that he would take up the matter with Mr Lal Krishan Advani and Mr Jaswant Singh, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister respectively for releasing the funds for the fourth phase of the ‘galiara’. He, however, suggested that out of total Rs 55 crore, the SGPC, the Government of India, and the state government should share equally so that the fourth and fifth phase of the project could be undertaken soon.

Municipal Commissioner, Amritsar, Jasbir Singh Bir who also attended the meeting said that Mr Jagmohan had agreed to release Rs 3 crore immediately for acquiring shops opposite the Golden Temple for paving the way for the construction of parking lot.

However, Mr Jagmohan told the meeting that the decision to acquire the heritage site of government senior school building in the Town Hall area should be reviewed. Mr Jagmohan said the administration must take note of the feelings of the residents.

Earlier, the Union Ministry of Finance had not agreed to sanction fresh term loan for the project but instead agreed to allocate the amount of Rs 55 crore as additional open market borrowing, with condition that this amount will be earmarked and utilised for the said project. Mr R.C. Nayyar, secretary, department of finance, Punjab, said that the case had already been sent to the department concerned.

Phase from I to phase-III of the Golden Temple beautification project was completed at a cost of Rs 83 crore while the projects of Rs 55 crore will be undertaken shortly to complete the remaining works after the release of funds from the Government of India. Out of Rs 55 crore, Rs 15.42 crore would be spent on underground and ground parking. Rs 0.90 crore on underground “jorha ghar” (shoe room) while Rs 9.58 crore would be spent on landscaping, including sanitary, lighting, construction of roads, foundations, horticulture etc.

Giving details, Mr Bir said that the last phase (phase-V) would have a cafeteria which would be constructed at a cost of Rs 40 lakh.