AMRITSAR – With Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa announcing a sum of Rs 500 crore for carrying out works related to tourism and culture in Amritsar, the people here have hailed the government move. They said it would give a much-needed boost to the tourism industry in the holy city, though they also had a word of caution for the government.
Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHARA) president APS Chatha said, “It is a welcome step. However, the state government should ensure that the money is utilised in a proper manner and a high-level committee is set up to monitor the same. The committee should comprise of government officials as well as representatives of the tourism industry.”
He advocated the need to focus on such projects that will prolong the stay of tourists in the holy city. “A majority of tourists visit the Golden Temple and witness the Retreat ceremony at Attari before heading back to their destinations the same day,” he rued.
He said the projects mentioned by the Finance Minister in his Budget speech like the Golden Temple Entrance Plaza and changing the facade of shops on the road leading to the holy shrine “would not boost tourism”.
SGPC member Bibi Kiranjot Kaur said the announcement augurs well for the holy city, but it depends on their definition of heritage. “Are they trying to create new heritage or preserve old heritage?” she wondered. She said that the Golden Temple Entrance Plaza had robbed the holy shrine’s entrance of its authenticity. The shrine is old and the plaza is a modern structure.
