LUDHIANA – Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has said Rs100 crore sanctioned by the Centre to develop Ludhiana as a smart city is not enough. The state government has already sanctioned Rs600 crore for Ludhiana’s development, he said.
Sukhbir, who was in the city to lay stones of certain projects, claimed by 2020, the residents would witness a sea change in their city.
The Deputy CM also visited the residences of some SAD councillors, besides inaugurating a Community Health Centre and addressing a public rally here.
On the metro rail and bus rapid transport system (BRTS) projects failing to take off, he said these were central sponsored projects in which huge amounts were required. Metro could not come up due to technical hiccups while BRTS required funding of over Rs2,000 crore.
Sukhbir, however, added within six months, all roads in the city would be re-carpeted. Besides, for a smooth traffic in the city, the government will spend Rs1,100 crore on constructing an elevated highway, he said.
On the residents’ long-pending demand for an airport, Sukhbir said there was a technical problem at Sahnewal, but the government might start domestic flights from Halwara.
On MC’s empty coffers, he said Rs70 crore would be provided for the construction of roads by the government. He said big projects needed time to be accomplished. “You give us time and see the change,” he said.
Reaches out to Bains brothers’ loyalists
Sukhbir today visited the Atam Nagar and areas falling under the Ludhiana South constituency, the stronghold of Independent MLAs Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains. He met leaders considered close to the Bains brothers and motivated them to gear up for the 2017 Assembly elections.
Reacting to the Deputy CM’s visit, Simarjit said: “I challenge Sukhbir to contest elections from Atam Nagar. If he wins, I will quit politics.”
