Capt Amarinder announces Rs 363.43 cr grant for development of Jalandhar

Jalandhar, Oct 26: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday unveiled a slew of development works for Jalandhar, announcing an immediate grant of Rs 363.43 crore for the implementation of various ongoing and new schemes in the city. On his first visit to the city after assuming office, the Chief Minister held a workers’ meeting and address the media, where he announced various development schemes, including a Rs 1000 crore Asian Development Bank (ADB) project for `Canal Water for drinking purposes’. The project, for which the ADB was already conducting a feasibility study at a cost of Rs 3 crore, would once implemented, resolve the drinking water problem in all the major cities of the state, including Jalandhar, the Chief Minister told mediapersons. It would enable drawing of water directly from the rivers instead through tubewells, which could not be used in many places because of the brackish underground water, he said. Installation and development of water systems, sewage treatment plant, roads, streets and streetlights are some of the other development works for which the state government had decided to inject the much-needed funds in the city for its infrastructural development. The financial crisis faced by his government will not be allowed to obstruct the development of any region, the Chief Minister said, reiterating his commitment to implementing every single promise made to the people of Punjab in the Congress manifesto. Making a slew of announcements for Jalandhar, he said he had sanctioned Rs 50 crore for expediting the prestigious Smart City Project, along with new development works worth Rs 42.43 crore. The new works relate to construction of streets and drains, as well as installation of street lights in various parts of the city. The Rs 346 crore AMRUT scheme also received a shot in the arm, with the state government sanctioning Rs 190 crore for the execution of several critical works under the same. The Chief Minister also unveiled a Rs 81 crore grant for ongoing work and meeting of liabilities under the Urban Mission (PIDB). The new projects under the AMRUT scheme relate to strengthening of water supply system (Rs 40 crore) and construction and upgradation of 100 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), at a cost of Rs 150 crore. These initiatives would augment the state-wide development agenda on which the government had already embarked, the Chief Minister declared, pointing out that various welfare initiatives had already been kick-started in the city as part of this agenda. UNI