The Golden Temple complex will no longer permit vehicular movement along its busy pathway connecting Langar Sri Guru Ramdas Ji to Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai Sahib.
A renovation and beautification project has been launched for the approximately 45-ft stretch. Eight-ft green belts will be developed on either side of the pathway, while adjoining buildings will be given a Sikh heritage facade to enhance devotional ambience for pilgrims arriving from across India, and abroad.
With a view to improving facilities for the ‘sangat’, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Executive Committee had approved the redevelopment plan, work on which has now formally commenced.
A master plan has been drawn up to redesign the internal pathway in an aesthetically coherent manner.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of the project on Sunday, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said, as part of the project, trees would be planted to preserve the natural environment.
The apex Sikh gurdwara body has entrusted the ‘kar seva’ of the project to Kar Sewa Bhuriwale, led by Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale, who expressed hope that the work would significantly improve convenience for devotees.
Dhami said the Golden Temple continued to receive a record number of pilgrims from across the world, and the SGPC remained committed to enhancing facilities for visitors to the holiest Sikh shrine.
Given the heavy influx of devotees, he appealed to Baba Bhuriwale to ensure early completion of the project, and urged the ‘sangat’ to extend complete cooperation in the ongoing ‘kar seva’.
Baba Bhuriwale said,
in accordance with the SGPC’s decision, the pathway would be completed at the earliest for the
convenience of devotees. Earlier, following ‘ardas’, the ‘kar seva’ was formally inaugurated by Dhami and Baba Bhuriwale.
