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Badal unveils Golden Temple plaza
Perneet Singh/Manmeet Singh Gill
Tribune News Service

CM Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh at the inauguration of Golden Temple entrance plaza in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Amritsar, October 22
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal today dedicated the first phase of the Golden Temple entrance plaza to the people here this evening. This will pave the way for easy movement of the pilgrims at the main entrance of the holy shrine.

Dedicating the plaza, the CM termed it as an architectural marvel which was a tribute by the state government to add to the glory of Darbar Sahib.

The CM said the SAD-BJP government was committed to perpetuate the glorious history of the state. He said the government had constructed world-class monuments such as Virasat-e-Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib, Chapparchiri War Memorial at Mohali, memorials of big and small holocaust at Sangrur and Gurdaspur, besides the upcoming Jang-e-Azaadi memorial at Kartarpur. Likewise, special focus was being laid on the development of religious towns of state.

The plaza’s features include 8,250 square metre of marble paved area for hassle-free movement of devotees, increased public amenities at ‘jora ghar’ (shoe-keeping facility) and ‘gathri ghar’ (baggage room), shaded peripheral colonnade compatible with the holy shrine’s character, perforated stone screen walls, aesthetically designed architectural lighting, entrance gateways and a fountain at its centre. The work on the second phase entailing a string of facilities in the basement is yet to start.

Among these amenities would be a state-of-the-art interpretation and information centre for tourists, VIP lounge, bank, ATM, airlines and railway inquiry, a multipurpose hall, security and services area, toilets and other public conveniences. The work on the plaza started in May 2011 and was supposed to be completed by Diwali last year. Talking to the mediapersons, the CM expressed hope that the Union Government would soon start the work on the ‘Smart City’ project for Amritsar.

Architectural marvel

• 8,250 square metres of marble paved area for easy movement of devotees
• White and pink marble having thickness of 37 mm put up by expert craftsmen from Rajasthan
• Seating facility for around 25,000 pilgrims around trees and fountain
• ‘Jora Ghar’ (shoe-keeping facility) and ‘Gathri Ghar’ (baggage room) spread over 650 square metres with specially designed corridor