Writeup AP 2011-12 - Punjab State Planning Board

86. There are 3 flying clubs in the state at Ludhiana, Patiala and Amritsar out of
which only two flying clubs at Patiala and Amritsar are functioning. The flying facilities at
Patiala and Amritsar are being upgraded. Land measuring 174 acres has been identified for
the construction of two new flying training institutes at Talwandi Sabo and Faridkot.
TOURISM
87. The state government is developing Amritsar, Patiala, Wagha Attari, Ropar,
Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Khurali (Hoshiarpur), Chamkaur Sahib and Bhaini Sahib, Bathinda
and Ludhiana as tourist destinations and also developing of religious pilgrim circuits and
freedom trail circuits with the financial aid of Government of India. The work of construction
of memorials for Chotta and Wadda Ghallughara was started in the 2010-11 with an
expenditure of Rs. 36.23 crore. In the Annual Plan 2011-12 Rs. 94 crore has been provided
for these important projects. The state government has decided to provide Rs.10 crore for
construction of Shri Guru Ravidas Memorial at village Khuralgarh, district Hoshiarpur along
with integrated development of the village. It has also been decided to provide Rs. 2 crore for
integrated development of Holy Ram Tirath, Amritsar. A grant of Rs. 100 crore has been
sanctioned by 13 th FC for heritage projects to be disbursed in 4 years. The existing religious
monuments, homes of freedom fighters and other monuments would also be renovated by the
state government. MoU signed by the state government and Indian Railways for
implementation of Rs. 30 crore ‘Incredible India-Punjab Luxury Train’ project. The state
government has released Rs. 13 crore as its entire state share liability. The Punjab Heritage &
Tourism Promotion Board has been declared as a nodal agency to complete the project.
88. Asian Development Bank ( ADB) has sanctioned a loan of Rs. 300 crore for
implementing the recommendations of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation
(UNWTO) for strategically developing Amritsar and other heritage towns like Sultanpur
Lodhi, Kapurthala and Patiala as part of the Punjab’ s master plan for tourism. In the 1 st
phase Amritsar, Sulatnpur Lodhi and Keshopur wetlands will be undertaken. The project
cost of which is Rs. 130 crore for 4-5 years out of which Asian Development Bank would
finance Rs. 91 crore and state share is Rs. 39 crore. A contract has been signed between the
state government and United Nations World Tourism Organisation in January, 2009 to
implement these projects.
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