Amritsar, June 17, 2018: Announcing that Amritsar will be made the Tourism capital of Northern India, Punjab Minister for Local Bodies, Tourism and cultural Affairs, Navjot Singh Sidhu said that all measures were being taken to unlock the potential of Amritsar and give visitors a programmed visit to this place and tourism spots of surrounding areas.
Sidhu media visited various tourist destinations in Amritsar along with team of consultants, media and officials from the Tourism Department, said, “We will make Amritsar the Tourism Capital of North India. This is not a hollow boast but a dream that will be fulfilled in totality.”
Stressing that the Tourists landing in Amritsar will be brought under a detailed programme, the Punjab Minister said that itineraries will be prepared and the tourists will be brought here under 5-day itinerary to start with and we intend to further stretch it to seven day programme.
“India begins here, so our aim is to bring maximum people here and see the rich glory of region. We have Rs. 590 crores and around Rs. 100 to 200 crores will be coming from the central government to make the entire programme more congenial and tourist friendly.”
Detailing further on the plans to boost tourism in the city, Sidhu said, “Town Hall will be a complete food street on the lines of Lahore. As Amritsar is known for its food, we will have 146 delicacies in that food street.
Apart from this, 5 to 6 additional rooms will be kept there for the dying arts of Punjab. We are committed to make them self reliant and crown them, he added.
The Punjab Tourism Minister further announced that an Aero city will be developed in Amritsar on the lines of Delhi.
“We will be developing an Aero city. It can be in the heart of city or close to the airport with around 20 hotels. Apart from the top end hotels, we also intend to have hotels which are affordable for all and not very expensive.”
Detailing about the itineraries followed so far by the tourism department, Sidhu said, “As we have itineraries that can be further polished, the Minister told that their are also plans to bring in international tour operators. Once the plan gets rolling, tourists will be received and facilitated in and around Amritsar. This will be a great tourism circuit.
In the tourism circuit, we initially intend to bring in 18 tourism sites and later they can be stretched further, he said.
Detailing about the itinerary programme, the Sidhu said, “On Day One, We will start with Golden Temple, then Durgiana Mandir, then Ram Tirath, Jallianwala Bagh and then food at Gobindgarh Fort.”
On the second day, we will take the tourists to the War Memorial, then Pul Moran, beating the retreat ceremony at Attari border and then food at Saada Pind or they can opt.”
On the Third day of the tour, the tourists’ itinerary will be including a visit to Harike Pattan, Kaputrthala, Science city and Jung-E-Azaadi.
He further told that on the fourth day, the tourists will be taken to the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Amritsar, Heritage Street, Golden Temple and then the Food Street.
Sidhu further said that we will do proper marketing of this entire thing and also arrange tour road shows to unlock the potential of Amritsar.
We will arrange familiarization programmes wherein people will be invited from America, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other regions where Punjabis have thick population to have a feel of this circuit.
The Tourists can opt for a one, two days or three day itinerary as per their convenience and we will facilitate them accordingly, Sidhu added.
Anyone who grabs land of Punjab won’t be spared: Sidhu
Answering questions on the recent tough stand taken by the Minister against the illegal constructions in Jalandhar, Punjab Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said, “I am with Punjab and I will not spare anyone who tries to grab the land of Punjab.”
I cannot allow violations and not take action against those not taking permissions. I am firm on my stand, he added.
On a question regarding opposition being done, Sidhu said, “My mission is stronger with all this.”
Punjab Government cannot surrender and just allow people to do violations and grab the land of Punjab, he quipped.