Amritsar elevated road project to be completed in 1 yr

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has given directions to the Amritsar Municipal Corporation to complete the Rs 210 crore elevated road project in one year.

This is expected to ease the traffic on the way to the Golden Temple. The Prime Minister's Office has also approved the project.

The corporation has already floated the tender for the project. The tender is likely to be opened on April 22. A dozen of companies like L & T, NBC, Procter and Gamble, Unitech and National Builders have participated in pre-discussions for the project and have shown their interest in the tender.

"The conceptual plan of the project was cleared by the chief minister at a meeting held on September 8, 2005, even prior to the announcement by the Prime Minister," said a spokesperson of the Punjab Government.

A Delhi based-consultancy firm has already prepared a feasibility report on the proposed project. The purposed elevated roads would greatly ease the traffic congestion in the city. The plan, aimed at decongesting traffic in the city and attracting tourists, is likely to change the face of the city. It is expected to clear traffic hold-ups, especially around the Golden Temple and near bus stands and the railway station.

The four lane elevated road would be constructed from Maqbulpura Chowk to Bhandari Bridge with two entry and two exit ramps at three locations.

According to the spokesperson, "Ramp I will be constructed to facilitate traffic coming from Jalandhar (Maqboolpura Chowk); Ramp II to be constructed from traffic coming from Bhandari Bridge, Amritsar side and Ramp III would be constructed to facilitate traffic from Golden Temple side towards Jalandhar Side after Ramtalai Chowk on GT Road."