BADAL approves Rs. 250 crore Sikh Circuit Tourism Plan for Punjab

Chandigarh, February 6, 2013: In a significant move aimed at boosting religious tourism in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today approved the Sikh Circuit tourism plan of Rs. 250 crore for developing prominent Sikh religious places in the state.

A decision to this effect was taken by Badal while presiding over a high level meeting with the eminent Sikh scholars, historians and representatives of SGPC besides officers of Tourism and Local Government department here at his official residence this morning.

During the meeting Badal directed the state Tourism department for early submission of the detailed report in this regard to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to materialize this project at the earliest. He also directed the Punjab POWERCOM for necessary immediate steps to lay the underground electrical wires in Talwandi Sabo to further initiate this project of beautifying the Holy city in an effective manner.

Explaining various details of this prestigious project prepared by the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, Principal Secretary Tourism Geetika Kalha informed that this project which would be undertaken on Central Financial Assistance (CFA) and PPP mode aims at developing the surroundings of prominent Sikh religious places in a holistic manner. She said that all the three Sikh Takhts namely Sri Akal Takht, Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Dam Dama Sahib besides other gurdawaras and Sikh historic places  at  Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi,  Dera Baba Nanak, Chhapar Chiri and others would be covered under this Sikh Circuit tourism in the state for their further development and beautification.

Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Advisor to the Chief Minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas, MLA Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC, Principal Secretary Local Government Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief minister KJS Cheema, President Jathedar Avtar Singh Makkar, former SGPC President Jathedar Kirpal Singh Badungar, General Secretary SGPC Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Secretary SGPC Jathedar Dalmegh Singh, eminent historian Prof. Kirpal Singh, Prof JS Grewal, Prof. Indu Banga and Executive Director Punjab Heritage and Tourism Board VB Kumar.