Changing City: Amritsar’s ‘facelift’ and its fallout

Last month, Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahni adopted the Heritage Street

These efforts include the Hall Bazaar Road facelift, initiated by the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board with assistance from the Asian Development Bank, transforming shop facades at a total cost of Rs 14.97 crore. (Express Photo)

Inspired by the Heritage Street project near Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar has undertaken several beautification and facade projects since 2016.

The Outer Ring Road project, launched in 2020, introduced cycle tracks, pedestrian paths, and modern amenities under the Smart City Mission.

Similarly, the Durgiana Heritage Street project, started in 2018, has significantly improved the area around the Durgiana Temple.

Hall Bazaar Road and Katra Ahluwalia facelift

The project was initiated by the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board under the Infrastructure Development Investment Programme for Tourism with assistance from the Asian Development Bank.

The Hall Bazaar was the first to undergo facade work after the Heritage Street project. All power wires and other cables have been laid underground. Footpaths have also been constructed. The Centre restored the Qila Ahluwalia and Katra Ahluwalia markets under the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana.

Outer Ring Road

The redevelopment work of the 7.4 km-long Outer Ring Road was inaugurated by then-cabinet minister O P Soni on September 18, 2020. As per the proposed plan, 1.8 metre-wide cycle tracks have been constructed on both sides of the road. Lights have been installed on roadsides and a parking lot has also been set up to facilitate travellers and streamline traffic. The project is one of the major initiatives taken under the Smart City Mission. The desilting of sewerage has also been done under the plan along with the laying of new sewer lines as per requirement. All power wires and other cables have been laid underground, eliminating the need for digging to lay cable lines in the future.

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Footpaths have been constructed and parking facilities for cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws have been set up.

Durgiana Temple Heritage Street

The municipal corporation took the initiative to beautify the Durgiana shrine and its vicinity in 2018.

A marble statue of Lord Krishna has been erected at the nearby chowk to give it a heritage look. Two entrance gates and ducts have also been constructed in the middle of the road and all utility services have been placed underground. Exquisite marble tiles have been installed on both sides of the road. The total cost of the project has been about Rs 25 crore.

Radial Road Project

The proposed Radial Road Project would cost Rs 49.41 crore under which main roads and streets would be redeveloped. Amritsar Smart City Limited (ASCL) officials claimed the facades of buildings would be refurbished and the water supply and sewerage networks expanded. Electrical cables would also be laid underground in the walled city.

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Maintenance and facades

The city is now facing difficulties in maintaining the refurbished buildings and spaces. Last month, Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahni adopted the Heritage Street. The cost of various measures like painting the street, arranging dustbins, planting palm trees, and providing golf carts to elderly and infirm devotees would be borne by the Rajya Sabha member. He volunteered to help as the existing system failed to maintain Heritage Street. Similar maintenance problems have been witnessed in other structures and areas that underwent a facelift. Also, the beautification projects have given a uniform facade to all old buildings. Heritage lovers have demanded that every building be restored to its former glory instead of sporting a uniform facade.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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