A bidder's challenge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in early 2024 temporarily halted progress.

Golden Temple Roads to Get INR 40 Crore Makeover, Expected to Ease Commutes

The radial roads redevelopment project near the Golden Temple in Amritsar is finally poised to commence after a protracted approval and legal process. The Amritsar Municipal Corporation will soon launch the project to upgrade four major roads leading to Darbar Sahib on the pattern of the city’s Heritage Street initiative, Mayor Jatinder Singh Bhatia said. The selected roads include Mahna Singh Road, Inside Ghee Mandi, Sri Ramsar Road and Katra Ahluwalia and cover approximately 4.5 km of stretch and will be redeveloped in phases, starting from the Ghee Mandi area.

Under the plan, damaged water supply and sewerage pipelines will be replaced, coloured concrete stones and tiles laid, and electricity cables undergrounded through dedicated ducts. Around 400 houses and shops along these routes will be given a uniform heritage-style facade to enhance the area’s historic character.

According to officials, the project was originally tendered at INR 49 crore in 2024 under the Smart City Mission. However, removal of key components led to objections by a chief engineers committee during financial vetting in Chandigarh, forcing cancellation and re-tendering. A bidder’s challenge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in early 2024 temporarily halted progress, but the petition was dismissed in March, clearing the way, officials confirmed.

The reworked plan now stands at an estimated INR 40 crore and is expected to be completed in one and a half years. According to officials, the redevelopment is expected to improve traffic flow, make daily commutes easier for residents and pilgrims, and could attract more tourists, giving Amritsar’s central area a much-needed infrastructure boost.

Source: The Tribune