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Wagah to be developed as global tourism centre |
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Written by Tribune News Service, Chandigarh
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Wednesday, 28 November 2007 |
 Punjab will develop area on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border as a global tourism destination centre. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today.
The government also decided to focus on the preservation and maintenance of a network of major religious and cultural heritage sites across the state to highlight Punjab's unique historical identity. In addition, the state's ancient cultural life would also be replicated through projects like building an heritage village. One such village is already coming up near Amritsar.
Punjab will seek the services of world renowned experts in tourism infrastructure to design and develop a sprawling tourist facility with state-of-the-art recreation gadgetry, gardens, expansive parking space, restaurants and hotels near the site and along the Amritsar-Attari Road.
While the “Beating Retreat" ceremony would continue to be the focal point of tourist attraction, the government would use it to showcase Punjab's culture and broadbase tourism activity on and near the site.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board has asked the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to immediately sanction Rs 35 crore under the central financial assistance (CFA) to develop Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Fatehgarh Sahib as tourist destinations in the state.
The central government has already sanctioned a project of Rs 557.58 lakh for the integrated development of the Attari-Wagha border. The projects to be developed include Attari Mahal and samadhi complex (Rs 149.43 lakh), Pul Kanjari (Rs 75.30 lakh), Neem Chameli complex (Rs 123.69 lakh) Rajasansi village carpet weaver complex (Rs 43.62 lakh), Saria Amanat Khan complex (Rs 28.38 lakh), Attari Intrnational railway station (Rs 32.21 lakh) and Ram Tirath complex (Rs 31.95 lakh).
The chief minister today asked the board to restructure its composition in order to make it broad-based under the chairmanship of the chief secretary with the nomination of at least four or five representatives of the people.
While reviewing the status of tourism projects sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Badal directed the finance department to promptly release the state's share for the timely execution of the ongoing projects. It was informed at the meeting that the Ministry of Tourism has so far released Rs 3647.18 lakh against its share of Rs 6339.72 lakh to the Punjab Heritage Tourism Promotion Board.
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