Urban Street Food And Craft Bazaar To Boost Tourism In Amritsar

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AMRITSAR – Tourists visiting Amritsar would soon have an added attraction to look forward to in the form of Urban Haat having a food street and a craft bazaar on the lines of Lahore’s food street.

The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) has already embarked on the ambitious project that involves renovation and reconstruction of the heritage building of the erstwhile Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital located in the heart of the city.

The project is aimed at prolonging the stay of tourists in the city who otherwise leave after visiting key destinations like Golden Temple and Wagah Border. The Urban Haat would give an opportunity to the tourists to savour authentic Amritsari cuisine, besides experiencing Punjabi traditions, craftsmanship and culture.

PUDA’s Additional Chief Administrator (ACA) Sandeep Rishi said, “The project has two components, a food street and a craft bazaar. The work on both is underway. There will also be an open air theatre and a souvenir shop.” He said though the deadline for the project was June, they expected it to be completed by August this year.

PUDA SDO Narinderjit Singh, who is monitoring the project work, said the work was in progress on a war footing. Around 80 per cent of the work on the interiors had been completed, he added. He said the building was in a dilapidated condition when it was handed over to them for starting the Urban Haat project.

“We have not only strengthened the building structure, but also restored it. Some portions of the building were altered by the hospital authorities; we’ve restored those portions to their original form. Some damaged arches have also been restored. For restoration, we are using materials similar to the ones already used in the building.”