Different infrastructure development projects in the holy city came under review during a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) held at Bachat Bhawan on Monday.
The meeting, chaired by Member of Parliament and DISHA Committee Chairman Gurjeet Singh Aujla, included detailed discussions on the Tung Dhab Drain, solid waste management, illegal encroachments, traffic congestion, Fatehgarh Churian Road, Majitha Road, Loharka Road, the Ring Road, the Elevated Road, National Highway projects and flood protection measures.
With the monsoon approaching, directions were issued to ensure the proper cleaning of drains and better coordination among all departments concerned.
The committee also reviewed the progress of various welfare and development schemes of the Central and Punjab governments. It assessed the action taken on decisions made at the previous meeting and directed the departments concerned to complete all pending works at the earliest.
Addressing the meeting, Aujla said the city receives a large number of pilgrims and tourists from across India and abroad every day, making it essential to further strengthen the sanitation system. He also directed the authorities to remove illegal encroachments by slum dwellers from different parts of the city.
Officials from the Municipal Corporation informed the committee that efforts were being intensified to improve door-to-door waste collection and expedite the bio-remediation of the city’s dump site.
Expressing serious concern over the sale of adulterated milk, paneer, sweets and other food items, Aujla directed the Health Department and Food Safety officials to launch a special drive against food adulteration and initiate strict legal action against offenders. He said adulteration of food products would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The MP also instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to install directional signboards at all major intersections and roads across the city to assist visitors. He further directed that warning signboards be installed at least 500 metres ahead of every road construction or repair site. He warned that if any accident occurred due to negligence, strict legal action would be taken against the officials and contractors concerned. He also instructed the authorities to ensure the timely completion of ongoing development works, including those at New Amritsar and the Valla Bypass Bridge, without delay.
The committee also reviewed the implementation and progress of several flagship schemes, including the National Health Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, the Soil Health Card Scheme, the National Rural Drinking Water Programme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and various other Central and state government programmes.
Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh assured the MP and DISHA Committee Chairman that coordination among all departments was being further strengthened and that every effort would be made to ensure the timely delivery of government services to the public.
