CHP For Amritsar Volume I PDF

City HRIDAY Plan

for
Amritsar
Volume I/V
City HRIDAY Plan

Prepared by:
CRCI (India) Pvt. Ltd.
in consortium with
IPE Global Pvt. Ltd.

for:
National Institute of Urban Affairs and Ministry of Urban Development

PROJECT TEAM
CRCI India Pvt. Ltd

Gurmeet S. Rai
Project Director and Principal Conservation Architect
Priyanka Singh
Project Coordinator and Conservation Architect
Antara Sharma
Conservation Architect
Amandeep Singh
Infrastructure Planner
Richa Pandey
Architect
Dhiraj Jasutkar
Architectural Intern
Neeharika Kushwaha
Architectural Intern
IPE Global Pvt. Ltd.

Urban and Environmental Planners

Oasis Designs Inc.
Urban Designers and Planners
Moushumi Chatterji
Museologist and Interpretation Specialist

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We sincerely acknowledge the valuable inputs and support rendered by the following individuals during
the course of this exercise:
Mr J M Balamurugan , Secretary, Department of Local Government, Punjab

Mr Anil Joshi, honourable Member of Punjab Legislative Assembly, Amritsar
Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, honourable Member of Punjab Legislative Assembly, Amritsar
Shri. Bakshi Ram Arora, Mayor, Amritsar,
Mr M S Aujla, Director Town Planning, Local Government.
Mr Ravi Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar
Mr. Pradeep Kumar Sabharwal, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Amritsar
Mr. Harjinder Singh Deputy Commissioner of Police
Mr Navjyot Randhawa, Director, Tourism and Culture
Mr. Sandeep Rishi , Chairman Improvement Trust, Amritsar
Mr Jasvinder Singh, District Town Planner
Mr. Hemant Batra, Senior Town Planner, Municipal Town Planning
Mr. P.K.Goyal, Superintending Engineer (Civil), MCA
Mr. Anuraj Mahajan, Superintending Engineer (Elect) , MCA
Sh. Parduman Singh, Superintending Engineer (O&M), Department of Water Supply and Sewerage, MCA
Mr. Navjot Singh, XEN (Civil), MCA
Sh. Sunil Mahajan, XEN (Civil), MCA
Mr Jagdish Raj, XEN (Civil), MCA
Mr. Navtej Singh, XEN (O&M), MCA
Mr. Harinder Singh, XEN (Civil), MCA
Surinder Sharma, SDO
Iqbal Singh, Junior Engineer
Raju Chauhan, Medical Officer of Health
Anil Arora, Estate Officer
Manu Sharma, DCFA, accounts Department
Madan P. Jha, Deputy General Manager, Map My India
Sh. Sandeep Singh Bajwa, Chief General Manager, Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board
Mr Dipinder Sandhu, Civil Engineer, Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board
Mr Manjit Singh, Chief Engineer, Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board
Mr. A.R. Mishra, Project Manager, PHTPB - IDIPT, PIU- Amritsar
Mr. Balraj Singh Kang, District Tourist Officer, Amritsar
Harpreet Bhullar, Heritage Walk Incharge
Mr Rajiv Sekhri, Superintending Engineer, Amritsar Improvement Trust
Sh. V.P. Singh, General Manager, PMIDC
Sh. Manav Jain, Town Planner, PMIDC
Mr. Jarnail Singh, XEN PMIDC
Mr. Narendra Sharma, Assistant Town Planner, Municipal Town Planning
Mr. J S Sodhi, XEN, PWD (B & R)
Anil Kohli, PMC- Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (BRTS Consultant)
Sh. V.K. Garg, Engineer-in-Chief, Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board
Mr. Bhupinder Singh, SDO, MCA
Mr. Satya Prakash, Senior Horticulture Assistant, Horticulture Department, MCA
Mr. R.P.Gupta, Chief Engineer, Water Supply and Sewerage Board
Mr. Anil Kumar Tandon, Water Supply and Sewerage Board
Mr S K Chawla, Dy Chief Engineer, PSPCL
Mr. Satinder Sharma, Addl.S.E , PSPCL
Mr. Bal Krishan, Addl.S.E, PSPCL
Prof Balwinder Singh, Guru Nanak Dev University
Mr Surinder Kochhar, Historian and Author
Mr Gunbir Singh, Eco- Amritsar, EcoSikh
Amritsar Vikas Manch
Virsa Vihar
Raghu Rai (for cover image)
Table of Contents
Volume I/V
1 PURPOSE OF CITY HRIDAY PLAN 2
2 AMRITSAR CITY 8
2.1 Introduction
2.2 History
2.3 Regional Setting
2.4 Physiography and Climate
2.5 Forest and Bio Diversity
2.6 Demography
2.7 Tourist Footfall
2.8 Economy
2.9 Tourism infrastructure
3 APPRAISAL OF HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ASSETS OF AMRITSAR 50

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Tangible Assets
3.3 Intangible Heritage
3.4 Cultural Heritage Mapping: the resounding themes
4 REVIEW OF EXISTING INITIATIVES 82

4.1 Review of Master Plans, CDP, Zonal Plans, Regional Plan
4.2 Existing Acts and Policies of Central and State Government applicable to the city
4.3 Organizations Impacting Development of the City and Organizational Structures
4.4 Review of proposed and ongoing projects
5 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS 156

5.1 Collaboration as a Driver
5.2 Meetings and Consultations with City Officials and MoUD
5.3 Consultations with Local Community
5.4 Planned Activities
6 PROJECTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE GAP ASSESSMENT (CITY LEVEL) 162

6.1 Tourist Projection
6.2 Broad Projection for Tourism Infrastructure
6.3 Broad Projection for Urban Infrastructure
6.4 Gap Analysis
6.5 Summary of Findings
i

Volume II/V
7 PRIORITISATION OF ASSETS 178

7.1 Significance of the Layered History of Amritsar
7.2 Heritage Zones
7.3 Existing Management Structures, Stakeholders and Planning Guidelines
7.4 Prioritisation
8 CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 200

8.1 Theoretical Underpinning
8.2 City Level Strategy
8.3 ZONE 1: Ramdaspur Heritage Zone
8.4 ZONE 2: Rambagh Garden Recreational Zone
8.5 ZONE 3: Gobindgarh Fort Durgiana Temple Heritage Area
8.6 ZONE 4: Circular Road Historic Connector
8.7 ZONE 5: Environmental Heritage Nodes
8.8 Specialist Consultancies/ Planning Policies required for successful implementation
8.9 Institutional Infrastructure and Collaboration- the cornerstone for reform

9 SHELF OF PROJECTS 310
9.1 Zone 1: Ramdaspur Heritage Zone

9.2 Zone 2: Rambagh Garden Recreational Zone
9.3 Zone 3: Gobindgarh Fort Durgiana Temple Heritage Area
9.4 Zone 4: Circular Road Historic Connector
9.5 Zone 5: Environmental Heritage Nodes
9.6 Additional Project
10 INVESTMENT PLAN AND SOURCE OF FUNDING 320
10.1 Summary of Costs

10. 2 Committed Funds for Zone I
10. 3 Committed Funds for Zone II
10. 4 Committed Funds for Zone III
10. 5 Committed Funds for Zone IV
10. 6 Committed Funds for Zone V
10. 7 Convergence of projects for implementation through HRIDAY and other committed sources
11 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MONITORING MECHANISM 332

11.1 City HRIDAY Plan – Vision and Implementation
11.2 Toolkits – planning and design
11.3 Procurement of Consultants
11.4 Projects: design, detailing and implementation
11.5 Community Consultations, Education and Outreach
11.6 Sustainable Management and Operation and Management

12 PROMOTION PROGRAM AND MARKETING STRATEGIES 364
13 STRATEGIES FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 378
ii

iii
Chapter One
Purpose of City
HRIDAY Plan
1.1 Sub Title
1.2 Sub Title
1.3 Sub Title

Purpose of City HRIDAY Plan
1 Purpose of City HRIDAY Plan

The National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) Scheme was launched on January
21, 2015 with the aim of bringing together urban planning, economic growth and heritage conservation in an
inclusive manner with the objective of restoring, reviving and strengthening the soul and heritage of the city.
The HRIDAY Scheme focuses on development of civic infrastructure development projects around heritage sites,
leading to revitalization of the City as a heritage and cultural destination. The Scheme differs from past Schemes as
it aims at keeping heritage at the center of urban development.
With a duration of 27 months and a total outlay of Rs. 500 Crores, the Scheme is set to be implemented in the
following 12 identified Cities viz. Ajmer, Amaravati, Amritsar, Badami, Dwaraka, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura,
Puri, Varanasi, Velankanni and Warangal.
The main purpose of the City HRIDAY Plan is to create a sustainable Civic Infrastructure Development Plan for
areas around tangible heritage assets (identified / approved by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and
State Governments) by identifying gaps through infrastructure need assessment for physical infrastructure (water
supply, sanitation, drainage, waste management, approach roads, footpaths, street lights, tourist conveniences,
electricity wiring, landscaping etc.) as per locally applicable standards/norms/bye-laws.
“Preserve and revitalize the soul of heritage city to reflect the city’s unique character by encouraging the development of an
aesthetically appealing, accessible, informative and secured environment. To undertake strategic and planned development
for heritage cities with the aim of improving the overall quality of life with a specific focus on sanitation, security, tourism,
heritage revitalization, livelihoods, and retaining the city’s cultural identity.”
-Project Statement for Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojna (HRIDAY),
Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India and
National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)
Heritage Based Sustainable Development Initiative
Initiatives towards preservation of heritage sites and their surroundings are often at odds with development
initiatives. HRIDAY presents a commendable vision which recognizes heritage sites, not as monuments in isolation,
but as heritage “assets” in the city fabric with the potential as key indicators of sustainable urban development and
improving the quality of life of its citizens. The scheme offers a platform to develop a holistic vision for the city as
a heritage and cultural destination, through strategic planning approaches and identification of program based
initiatives centred on civic infrastructure around heritage.
2 | City Hriday Plan - Amritsar

The key agencies for the HRIDAY Scheme

1National Advisory Committee (NAC), HRIDAY National Empowered Committee (HNEC), National Technical
Committee and National Mission Directorate at the National level and the City Level Advisory & Monitoring
Committee (CLAMC) and City Mission Directorate at the City level. The HRIDAY City Anchors will be working
closely with all these stakeholders for successful implementation of the scheme.
KEY AGENCIES HRIDAY

Listed from
HRIDAY National Empowered
Concept Document Committee
National level Mission

State collabor Directorate
Govern
Preparation of HMP, DPR,
Investment Plan and Scheme
City Mission
City level Directorate
Advisory and
Monitoring Chaired by Chief Project
Committee Executive Officer/
Municipal Commissioner Documents,
Convener- District of ULB Data, etc
Magistrate/ City Project
Project Implementation
received from
Municipal Management Unit
Unit Mission
Commissioner Including
Stakeholder Directorate by
Platform for exchange Consultations HRIDAY CITY City Anchor
of ideas, objectives, ANCHOR HRIDAY City Anchor
reviews, monitoring for done by City
the scheme Anchor in Preparation and interacts with the City
consultation Finalization of HMP Level Mission
Coordinator between
State, Centre and with the Coordination between Directorate and City
Implementing Agencies Advisory Centre and Project Level Advisory and
Implementing Agencies Monitoring Committee
Body
Implementation of DPR,
Quality Assurance, Time
Management, etc
Figure 1-1 HRIDAY Scheme- hierarchy and scope of work for appointed consultants (City PMU)
1
Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojna (HRIDAY), Ministry of Urban Development, Government of
India and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)
CRCI India Pvt. Ltd. in consortium with IPE Global | 3
City HRIDAY Plan Strategic Framework- An integrated approach for Heritage Management and Urban
Planning
As with all proposals and design initiatives within and around heritage sites, it is essential that they capture the spirit of
the place through strategic heritage sensitive development strategies which protect the authenticity and integrity of the
character of the city and its component parts. It is thus, important to identify attributes of value, themes and guidelines
through the CHP to inform policies for development which are then taken forward in detail, through descriptions of
appropriate vocabulary of interventions, in the preparation of the DPR Toolkit. Heritage conservation and development
around it requires to be based on principles of cultural equity potential of which can be tapped for economic equity,
however, it is essential to ensure developing cultural assets for appropriate sustainable uses.
The process driven methodologies and outputs that HRIDAY anticipates from the project provides a platform to
showcase good practice towards inclusive development, contributing to shaping a better environment for both
inhabitants and visitors: an opportunity to develop a strategic framework intrinsic to a sustainable future. The
HRIDAY project, through such initiatives, in heritage sensitive development in fact can create a model framework for
integrated development for heritage management and urban planning.
1. Comprehensive Infrastructure Development

The needs of HRIDAY have been defined as
Infrastructure required for Protection of Values of
Heritage Sites so as to enable Sustainable Use of the
sites by the community or the ‘Eco-System’ at large.
Figure 1-2 Types of Infrastructure; Source: CRCI
2. To create a strategic framework, it is critical to understand

issues and challenges faced by heritage sites (more
specifically sacred sites) and the cities they are housed
within. Heritage monuments and sites are magnets in the
city landscape which attract an influx of visitors and are
often centres of intense activity. The use within these sites
and their ‘pull factor’ are also far beyond the carrying
capacities of the site. We witness a type of ‘ingrown development’ at these centres; a type of disturbing inverse
expansion. As a result the demand on the city infrastructure is stretched far beyond their capacity, this was evident
when back flow of storm water was witnessed, in September 2014, into the parikrama of the Sri Harmandir Sahib
complex. It is palpable that strategies for enhancement of infrastructure is necessary to be developed which are
based on ‘value based approach’ for the site and the settings in consultation with the stakeholders.A Risk
management/ Disaster Preparedness plan is necessary to be integrated within the management and development
strategy for these sites and the setting.
3. The buffer areas around heritage sites are defined for the purpose of de-congesting sites and are regulated by law
(for state and ASI protected sites) but most often lack implementation on ground on account of several factors one
of the key being the lack of integration within the city development plans. It is critical that all plans developed as
part of the CHP must be dovetailed into the master plan and other notified development plan.

4. It can be broadly summarized that heritage responsive infrastructure development focused towards sustainable
development of the city and its cultural character requires infrastructure development interventions at four levels :
i. Infrastructure needs within the heritage site
ii. Infrastructure needs within the setting of the site
iii. Infrastructure needs towards developing linkages between group or cluster of sites
iv. Infrastructure development to enable ‘de-stress’ current sites by creating “off –shore” infrastructure to
service the needs and demands of heritage sites
Infrastructure needs to
DEVELOP LINKAGES
BETWEEN GROUP OR
CLUSTER OF SITES
Infrastructure
needs WITHIN
THE SETTING OF
THE SITE
Infrastructure
needs WITHIN
THE HERITAGE
SITE
Figure 1-3 The proposed four tiered hierarchy of infrastructure development;

Source: CRCI
5. Anticipating and Planning for Urban Expansion/ City Growth

Amritsar’s urban expansion has seen an outward growth anchored in the centre by Sri Harmandir Sahib. The
Galliara, as the immediate environs of the Holy centre came to be known, formed the first ring of built development.
The fortifications of the walled city created the second ring surrounding the holy centre and historic city that
established itself around it. While the fabric of the fortifications do not exist in their entirety on this edge, the
foorprint of this edge exists today as an important ring of movement, activity, commerce and more, called the
circular road.
The 12 gates of the historic fortification exist as key nodes and point of entry into the historic city. Activity patterns
are disctinct between the gates and offer insight into how the character of the edge has developed vis a vis activity
patterns seen within the walled city and in the buffer immediately surrounding it.

Figure 1-4 Rings of development around the holy centre and the walled city marked with points of access;
Source: CRCI
The notified Master Plan of 2031 predicts development of several rings of roads which will surround the city as high
speed mobility corridors. This urban expansion is pivoted around the walled city- characterized by high density
development housing the city centre for commerce, governance, and religion etc – all within a compact area of barely
2km x 2.5km - with Sri Harimandir Sahib as the nucleus of all activity impacting growth. Thus, there is an urgent need
for planning proposals to work within a framework that anticipates mounting pressures on the walled city and environs
of Sri Harimandir sahib therein and formulates designs to de-stress this centre.
The City HRIDAY Plan strategically addresses the expansion of the city in the context of these rings of growth.
Proposals for each heritage zone are bound together by an overall city mobility plan. The roads radiating out from the
centre and areas between these intersections thus, become critical focus areas for development and management.
Proposals for each zone are targeted on development of the radiating roads and these filler spaces. The project on the
upgradation of 21 roads in Zone 1 (i.e. all roads within the walled city leading to Sri Harimandir Sahib) thus, finds
precedence in the scheme as an opportunity for systematic interventions to protect the centre from environmental
pressures generated by ill planned development which create unmanageable sound pollution and traffic.
Recommendations have been made to enable improved rideability, better services and efficient traffic management .
Each zone becomes a component in this initiative to improve buffer areas comprising green belts with slow moving
traffic and decongested spaces with activities focused on improvement of quality of life for the inhabitants by deviating
from commercial activities. Proposals in Zone 2 and 3 aim directly at development of intermediate spaces, while zone
4 focuses on upgradation of the high speed corridor. Through better planning and design interventions, these zones
thus are an important initiative in the urban planning scheme to develop a ‘cohesive historic cultural environment’
which contributes to improvement of quality of life for the citizens of Amritsar. The initiatives thus:
 Expand the buffer zone

 De-stresses the core and
 Rejuvenates nodes/ creates opportunities for ‘off shore’ development
Figure 1-5: Mobility Rings centered around the Walled City anticipated to accommodate higher transportation pressures and expand the
buffer zone of the Walled City

Chapter Two
Amritsar city
2.1. Introduction
2.2 History
2.3. Regional Setting
2.2 History
2.5. Forrest and Bio -diversity
2.6. Demography
2.7. Tourist Footfall
2.8. Economy
2.9. Tourism Infrastructure
Introduction to the city -Amritsar
2 Amritsar City
2.1 Introduction
The city of Amritsar showcases the composite culture and secular heritage of ‘Punjabiat’. This most important city of
the Majha region of Punjab, on the east bank of the Beas River, is a repository of spiritual and national heritage. Every
devout Sikh tries to make a pilgrimage to Amritsar and bathe in the amrit sarovar at least once in his or her lifetime.
The evolution of the town over the ages and its association with some of the greatest historical figures of the region,
have given the town a particular ‘sacred and socio political geography’, typified by buildings and sites as well as routes
and processional paths. Amritsar, further, exemplifies the soul of the Majha region of Punjab, and is the focal point of
the evolution of the Punjabi language, its idiom and literary traditions. Further, as a manufacturing centre, it was
historically affiliated to Lahore, the great capital city of the Mughals and later Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the urban centre
par excellence of undivided Punjab. Nevertheless, it is still famous for its traditional industries in the making of Punjabi
jutis, embroidery, kirpan making, wooden products, as well as its delectable pickles, papads and spices. The twelve katras
(occupational neighbourhoods) in the walled city give evidence of the vibrant market economy of the region.
2.2 History
1The city of Amritsar developed alongside the evolution of Sri Harmandir Sahib and this history can be classified as the
period of the Gurus ( from founding to 1708); the period of struggle (1708- 1764); the period of the Misals (1764-1800);
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1801-1849); the British period (1849-1947) and the modern period (1947 to present day).
The settlement of Amritsar, its evolution and its

physical form has been described in greater details
while integrating the historical narrative into the
description of the city as Amritsar is one of the main
drivers which led to the realignment of the Badshahi
Sadak at the time when Punjab became part of the
British territory in 1849. The reason for this change in
alignment is on account of many factors. The
relationship of the East India Company with the Sikh
kingdom, the socio cultural significance of the city for
the Sikhs on account of the location of Sri Harmandir
Sahib, the holiest of the Sikh shrines (got to be later
known as the Golden Temple) and Amritsar as a key
economic centre in the region were some of factors
which impacted the decision for the change of the
alignment.
1 Evolution of Amritsar- Dossier for nominating Amritsar as World Heritage Site, Pg 95
8 | City Hriday Plan – Amritsar

The growth of the city of Amritsar can be seen as a journey of a seed to an ever-growing tree. The journey that began
with Guru Nanak Dev and found firm rooting where a tank was being dug and a settlement established. It was the
effort of three generations combined that allowed this seed to sprout when it did. For the third Guru, Guru
Amar Das, bid the choosing of a spot and the digging of a tank, and the fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das rushed to comply,
and chose, and dug, and encouraged life eternal to spring around this amrit sarovar, by inviting people, 52 types of
artisans and craftsmen among them, to come and settle around it. Staying true to the tradition instituted by Baba Nanak,
a dharamsal and langar were set up, offering shelter and sustenance to whoever came seeking. The settlement grew, and
came to be called Ramdaspur.
It was the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev carrying on his father’s work set about compiling the bani, the word of all the
Gurus before him, into the Adi Granth. It was an eclectic collection, rich with quotes from bhakti – sufi saints, Bhatts
(traditional Brahmin chroniclers) and mystic-visionaries from diverse traditions and backgrounds, many of them
craftsmen by birth, like Kabir, the weaver, Bhagat Namdev the tailor, Dhanna Bhagat, the simple peasant, and Ravidas
the tanner. It took five years of reading and composition, of reciting, and being heard and recorded with painstaking
care. As the words flowed the tree started to flower in the form of Harmandir Sahib in the middle of the tank. Within
it was the seat of the Word: the bani of five Gurus, and a plethora of mystic visionaries. The temple, opening in all four
directions, was the perfect cradle for an inclusive, pluralistic creed that spoke of egalitarianism, and an attitude of
humility and reverence towards all of God’s Creation.
2.2.1 Early phase of Growth of Amritsar

As the plant grew, and its roots spread wider and deeper: the Guru ka bazaar sprang up, with the Guru ka mahal at one
end of it; the Guru ka bagh was made; and the tank was lined while the Harmandir Sahib rose from its epicentre. For
the construction of the tank, and later the shrine the practice of dasvandh was initiated, whereby the devout were
encouraged to set aside a tenth of their income for the Guru ki Golak, or communal/ collective treasury. Guru Arjan
appointed masands, representatives of the Guru in every town, to collect kar-bhet (offerings) and dasvandh from the
Sikhs. This network of masands spread out across the countryside.
The Guru ka Bazaar grew on account of the encouragement given by Guru Ramdas to a large number of traders and
businessmen who had been trying to settle down in the newly founded city2. The Khatris, also encouraged by the Guru,
created the market at Chowk Passian. While different parts of the Harmandir were being built during the times of the
fifth and the sixth Gurus, people from different cultures and castes were encouraged to settle in the city.

Figure 2-1 Landscape before the arrival of Guru Ram Das

Figure 2-2 Changes made between 1573 AD and 1606 AD

2.2.2 Period of Struggle

The Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, was nine years old when his father, Guru Arjan, attained martyrdom at the hand of
the Mughal Emperor. He ascended the gaddi (the seat), and chose to wear the twin swords of miri (temporal power),
and piri (spiritual leadership), thus declaring Sikhism’s engagement with the politics of the times. He built the Akal
Takht (the Eternal/a temporal Throne) on a platform facing the Harmandir, where temporal and political matters were
discussed, but always in the presence of the divine, manifest through the Granth. He cultivated an army, composed
equally of the valiant faithful and mercenaries of various origins. The Akalian da Bagh came into being, and the Chaurasti
Atari was built at the crossroads where Guru Arjan was said to have sat frequently. To guard the fruit bearing tree a wall
was built around the settlement along with a fort called Lohgarh (Iron Fort).
The tree was growing fast and the information about it was spreading at the same pace. This alarmed a few, and the
land was besieged time and again, and people persecuted. Unheeding, the branches of the tree, so tall and true, spread
ever outwards, and the Word spread, and the Panth (‘a sort of moral collective of believers’)3grew. The last four Gurus
never lived at Amritsar, but wandered far and wide, spreading the Word, and espousing an increasingly martial aspect,
which culminated in the armies and battles of the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind.
3Harjot Oberoi, The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition, OUP, Delhi, 1994, p.
14

In 1699 A.D., the day of Baisakhi, Guru Gobind called

the faithful to gather at Anandpur Sahib, where he
proceeded to create the Khalsa: a community of baptised
Sikhs, men who volunteered, who chose to commit
themselves to the cause. By doing so Guru Gobind shifted
the mantle of authority off the shoulders of any one man
and onto the collective. At the same time, he named The
Guru Granth the last Guru of the Sikhs. Thus both
temporal and spiritual authority was vested in the
collective, the community and The Granth.
2.2.3 The Misl Period (1764-1801)

As under the aegis of the Guru Granth the faithful rallied
to defend the tenets of the faith simultaneously the
Mughal Empire declined, and the world around it descended into frequent chaos and anarchy. For half a century, the
city was besieged and sacked time and again. The Sikhs were persecuted by the Mughal governors, with a price on every
head, and had to frequently go into hiding. Harmandir Sahib Complex came under attack repeatedly, and was razed to
the ground by the Mughals in 1740 A. D. and the Afghans
under Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1762 A. D. and 1764 A. D. Figure 2-3 Changes made between 1606 AD and 1708 AD.
In 1745, the practice of gurmata (collective decision,
literally ‘the Guru’s advice/opinion’) was instituted, where
all the Sikhs who could make it would gather together at
Amritsar twice a year, at Baisakhi and Diwali, to discuss
matters of common interest and reach decisions through
unanimous agreement. “[P]erhaps in pursuit of the decision
taken in the very first gurmata [the Sikhs] built up a fort at
Amritsar.”4. This was the fort of Ram Rauni.
After Nadir Shah’s death, his heir, Ahmad Shah Abdali

claimed Punjab as part of his territory. In the face of his
imminent invasion, in a gurmata in 1748 it was resolved to
divide the Khalsa forces of Punjab into sixty-five jathas
integrated into twelve misls (confederacies) to be called the
Dal Khalsa. Each regiment contained between a thousand
to two thousand combatants. [FS, p. 65] The men were
volunteers, and the leaders of each misal were chosen
through popular consensus. They devised the system of
Rakhi (literally ‘guarding’) and undertook to protect the
people of Punjab. Six of the twelve misls were stationed at
Amritsar, with their head offices at Ramsar, Lakshmansar, Figure 2-4 : Layers of history from the Misl Period and Maharaja Ranjit
Kaulsar, Bibeksar and Santokhsar (refer Figure 7 for map Singh’s Reign
FS, p. 65, citing H. R. Gupta, The History of the Sikhs Vol. I, p. 250 and J. N. Sarkar, The Fall of the Mughal Empire, p. 426
4

marking these historic sites). The area around Amritsar came

under the protection of the Bhangi misl. For fifteen years
battles raged back and forth across the land, with the Sikhs
sometimes victorious, sometimes fleeing, but always
tenacious. What they lost one year, they would reclaim the
next; what was destroyed they would rebuild. When
Ahmad Shah Abdali passed through Amritsar on his way
back to Afghanistan in 1764, a mere two years after he had
destroyed the Harmandir Sahib, and found it back on its
feet, he resolved to do the job more thoroughly this time
around, and blew up the entire complex with gunpowder
(at Diwali). But the misls had been gaining in strength and
riches and territory, and barely had the dust settled behind
the retreating Afghan army before they converged on
Amritsar, and began building again. This time they meant
to stay.
Between 1765 A.D. and 1768 A.D., the temple complex

underwent extensive renovation and reconstruction, and
the edifice of the Harmandir Sahib as it stands today was
constructed during this period. The city was settled again
under the protection of the Sikh misls, who settled around
the perimeter of the temple and constructed their
residences, known as Bungas (“establishment” in Persian).
The surrounding district was still under the protection of
Hari Singh of the Bhangi misl. The city was administered
and defended by this confederacy of Sikh misls, each of
whom had their own katras or quarters /localities of the
city, where they encouraged traders and craftsmen to settle,
providing protection and developing the market in their
respective katras(refer Figure 8 for map marking katras). These
localities were administered separately and exclusively by
each misl. The residents of each katra paid ground rent and
a cess called chaukidari to the chief. The quarters stood
cheek to jowl with each other: oddly shaped and unevenly
sized, they formed a cozy huddle around the temple, a
proliferation of miniature walled cities. “At intervals along
the streets were gates which were shut at night and cut off
all communication between different parts of the town.” 5
5V. N. Datta, Amritsar Past and Present, 1967, p. 113

Figure 2-5 Amritsar Walled City Map with 6 Misl

Under the protection of this confederacy of Misl chiefs, the town grew rapidly. The Bungas, primarily military
establishments, also served as centres (refer Figure 9 & 10 for Sri Harmandir Sahib with components) of learning where
scholars, students and pilgrims could gather.The misl chiefs made generous endowments of land to the Gurudwaras,
which were administered by a joint council comprised of representatives of the chiefs. The period of stability led to
rapid growth. The markets in the katras belonging to the more powerful misl chiefs, such as the katra Ahluwalian, katra
Ramgarhia, and katra Kanhaiyan, developed into booming centres of commerce. The Hansali canal was built in 1785
A.D. by the Bhangis, and brought water from the river Ravi to the Amrit Sarovar. For the defence of their katras, and
the city as a whole, the misls built forts in their localities. In 1772 A.D., Jhanda Singh of the Bhangis constructed a brick
fort known as the Bhangi fort near Looni Mandi (salt mart). Later, Gujar Singh constructed fort Gujar Singh at the site
where Gobindgarh fort now stands. Jassa Singh Kalal (Ahluwalia) founded the Ahluwalia Bazar, still a thriving wholesale
cloth market today, in his katra. In recognition of his great contribution as a leader, a samadh was built for him in the
Baba Atal complex after his death in 1783 A.D. Trade and commerce flourished, and the area prospered in unbroken
peace, barring the occasional minor skirmishes between misls.
Figure 2-6 Amritsar Walled City with Katras

Figure 2-7 Component Plan of Harmandir Sahib with all relevant Bungas

Figure 2-8 Harmandir Sahib and surroundings
At the end of the 18th century, Ranjit Singh of the influential/affluent Sukarchakia misl rose to power. Through a series
of canny alliances and battles with the other misls he was able to gain control over the territory of Punjab one piece at
a time. In 1802 A.D., having defeated the Bhangi misl, Ranjit Singh took over the city of Amritsar, consolidating his
rule over the kingdom of Punjab.
Ranjit Singh through consolidation and expansion of his the territories is credited to have unified the Sikh kingdom of
Punjab. His territory extended from Multan and Peshawar to Kashmir and Kangra. His southward expansion was halted
at the banks of the River Sutlej by the British, where both watchfully held each other at bay through a Treaty. His rule
was a period of prosperity for the entire state, and trade and commerce boomed. Craftsmen and artisans from
everywhere were encouraged to bring their practice to the city. Shawl-weavers from Kashmir and artists of the Kangra
School of Art were among the most notable of these migrants. The population swelled as many migrated to Amritsar
to settle or trade. The gilding of the Harimandir, and the intricate inlay work in marble that we see today, was done
under his rule, and it was because of this gilding work that the Harmandir Sahib is also referred to as the Golden Temple.

Figure 2-9 19th Century image of Rambagh Garden
Figure 2-10 19th Century image of Gobindgarh Fort
In 1807 A.D., Ranjit Singh built the Gobindgarh fort at the site of the earlier fort built by Sardar Gujar Singh, Chief of
the Bhangi misl. The fort held his Toshakhana or royal treasury, where the famous koh-i-noor diamond was kept. In
1818 A.D., the Ram Bagh palace was built, a summer palace laid out in eighty acres that served as the Maharaja’s
residence when he was in Amritsar. His courtiers followed the example of their king, and built grand residences of their
own. As a new nobility took its place among the old, new katras and bazars sprang up on the land available between the
already inhabited localities. In the south of the Harmandir Sahib, beyond Kaulsar and Baba Atal, a sprawling wholesale
market for agricultural produce, the Anaj Mandi, was built under patronage of the court, extending from Chowk Darbar
Sahib to Qila Bhangian in the west and to Dhab Basti Ram in the east. Bazars proliferated, blooming like flowers in
every open space, and each with a special character or function. Some, like bazaar Paparan, bazaar Kathian, Kanak
Mandi, bazaar Bansan, Namak Mandi, and Misri bazaar, were named for the product they offered. Others, like Majith
mandi (a market of dyers), Mandi Ahan Faroshan (for sellers of iron and iron ware) and bazaar Kaserian (a market for
utensils, first earthen and then metal) were named for the craftsmen and crafts to be found there.
The famous rock salt of Lahore came through Amritsar in copious quantities, resting briefly in the namak mandi (refer
Figure 14 for map marking mandis). Before making its rapid way into the corners of British India. Bokharans and Persians
came in long, slow caravans, and canny Afghan itinerant traders, and the agents of international merchants from Tibet
and China, Europe and British India. Wheat and rice, cotton and silk, leather and wool, sugar, poppy, indigo and salt
petre flowed into the city and right back out into the world, unchanged in form or as finished goods. Gold, silver, iron,
ivory, spices, dry fruits and dyes were some of the major imports for the city during this period of unprecedented
expansion into a site for international trade.
Figure 2-11 Amritsar Walled City with Mandis

Figure 2-12 Old Cloth market of Shstri Chowk, Amritsar
Figure 2-13 Old jwellery Market of Guru Bazaar, Amritsar

In 1833 A.D., a famine in Kashmir led to the streets of Amritsar being flooded with refugees. Maharaja Ranjit Singh
ordered the depository of corn at Amritsar to be opened for the masses of starving Kashmiris. Thousands came, and
settled down in the city. Amritsar enjoyed a thriving international trade in Pashmina shawls, mostly imported from
Kashmir. Now it became a centre for production as well. By the 1890s, there were 4000 looms running in the city. When
the demand for Pashmina shawls fell, many of these looms were turned to the production of carpets, an industry that
thrives to this day in Amritsar.
In 1805 A.D., the katras established by different chiefs formed the outer perimeter of Amritsar. Each katra was walled
and had only one gate for entrance. After the city was unified under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, he decided to fortify it with
a massive double wall of unbaked bricks with a double moat. This fortification was 25 yards broad and 7 yards high.
The circumference of the walled city was about five miles. There were 12 gates, of which Lahori Darwaza, on the road
to Lahore, served as the main entrance. Only one of these gates still stands.

Figure 2-14 Amritsar walled City with 12 historic Gates

Figure 2-15 Present day Rambagh Gate; remnant of Historic 12 gates
Figure 2-16 Present day Hathi Gate; one of the Colonial period Gates

When Ranjit Singh proposed the building of the wall everyone contributed, volunteered workers or money, or their
own services. Thousands came, to help build this wall around Amritsar and all that it meant to them – allowed now to
make manifest the community’s need to protect and uphold the primacy of the ‘Word’, the Guru Granth, the Harmandir,
and the city it stood in, as an embodiment, in the physical universe, of everything they believed in and chose to fight
for. Ranjit Singh did not live to see it finished. It took his son, Sher Singh, another three years as king to finish the wall,
in 1843. Three years more, and the British came in the wake of the First Anglo Sikh War (1846). They saw this formidable
wall that had grown out of the contributions of countless bodies and minds, cosmopolitan in its influences
(commissioned by a man with a healthy appreciation for European technology), and a symbol of the collective-will
standing tall over the city. So the British came to this wall, looming over them like a persuasive visual argument, and
they had to tear it down. They pulled it down, quick and quiet, muffled under a flurry of paper-work and administrative
exigencies, and built their own wall in its place.
Figure 2-17 Remains of the fragments of the colonial wall near Rambagh gate

2.2.4 The British Period (1849-1947)

6 The British took over the management of the Harimandir after the annexation of Punjab in 1848. In 1849, after
acquiring land from the Gumtala village, they added a cantonment to the northwest part of the north zone. They
constructed a road from the cantonment to the Gobindgarh Fort and named it Mcleod road. It is also known as the
Qila road.

Figure 2-18 Changes made between the years 1849 and 1947.
In 1853 St Paul.s Church and St Francis.s Church were constructed. The former was located between Fatehgarh Road,
Sailkot road and GT Road. The latter was located in the cantonment. The Tehsil Office was constructed in 1856. It was
located on the GT Road, towards the east.
With the coming in of the British to Punjab the administration at Amritsar was re- organized. They abolished the
customs line, built roads and the railways, the Town Hall and administrative offices, the Civil Lines for the administrators
to live in, and a sprawling cantonment outside the walled city. They brought with them modern sanitation, the telegraph
and electricity, and their schools and missionaries.

Figure 2-19 Amritsar walled City in 1870
The wall that protected Amritsar turned slowly (over the course of the 19th Century) into a wall of reform and revival.
Beginning with the Namdharis or Kukas, who, early in the latter half of the nineteenth century, gave the first (oft-
forgotten) call for Swadeshi, and the burning of British cloth, a series of movements for religious and social reform
swept through the countryside, awakening a nascent political consciousness in the people of Punjab.
[According to the Census of 1868, there were 658 merchants, 2,115 bankers, 3,463 money-lenders and 12,647
shopkeepers in the city of Amritsar. [V. N. Datta, p. 133]
Till 1857, with the unspoken blessings of the British, the city was locally administered through a body of Panchas – ‘the
court of five’ and life went on much as it had before. [V. N. Datta, p. 48]

The East India Company was foremost a trading conglomerate, quite content to leave things be as long as the markets
flourished and trade thrived. All of that was set to change in a big way.
In 1857 British Rule in India was threatened for the first time on a pan-regional scale. The strategic importance of
Amritsar was realized by the British and effective steps were taken to meet the situation. With civilian help, the road
from Lahore was barricaded at Atari, and Gobindgarh Fort was prepared to face both siege and battle. More troops
were rushed in, and the Indian sepoys of the 59th Native Infantry, stationed at Gobindgarh, were disarmed without
incident. The city saw no significant action, and remained alert but peaceful. It passed over with barely a murmur. Revolt
or rebellion, popular uprising or sepoy mutiny, the events of 1857 shook the British out of their complacency, making
them re-evaluate the security of their hold over the country.
When it was all over, the British strengthened their administrative hold over the Nation, and consolidated it by building
roads. In 1858, as Queen Victoria’s proclamation toured the nation a District Committee was formed to take care of
the local administration. The town expanded, with an emphasis on education, communication and accessibility.
7In the period between 1858-59 (when the first municipal committee was formed) and the passing of the Municipality
Act in 1867, the houses in the city were allocated The Dhab Santoksar was also filled on the initiative of the Deputy
Commissioner to settle a cut-piece market. This area lay between Jaimal Singh and Santokhsar. With the construction
of the boulevard, also known as the circular road, along the walls of the city in 1863, it became possible to go around
the city from the outside. Bridges were constructed to connect the inner and the outer circular roads. The wall
constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh was demolished. In 1866-68 a new wall was built from the Lahori gate to the
Rambagh gate. In 1869 the dhabs (small water tanks), moats and the Baghs were filled, and the new space created
through this was developed into markets and roads. Except for the Rambagh gate all others were reconstructed. During
this period two important mosques were constructed in the Hall Bazaar: the Mohammed Jan (1872) and Khair-ud-din
(1877). The Hall Gate was made in 1876 on the side of one of the bastions of the old well. The district court was
constructed in the same year between Sialkot Road and the Cantonment. In 1891, the shutters of the Hall Gate were
unhinged and sent to the Lahore museum. The names of the gates were changed and four more gates were added to
the wall. In 1904 the Khalsa College was constructed. A railway line was laid down in 1907 by the north western state
railway. The railway station was located outside the Bhagtanwala Gate to the south.
By the late 19th Century, Amritsar was an important trade mart connected to Lahore, Karachi, the North-West Frontier
Province, Kashmir, Bombay and Calcutta. It had become a big mart for tea, an important import and export centre, and
later production hub, for cloth. Silk was still coming, all the way from Bokhara, to be sorted and cleaned, and sent on
to various centres of silk cloth production, cities in India as well as abroad. Foreign merchants and traders could be seen
at any time in the business centres of the town. This influx of other worldviews, and the political hegemony of one in
particular, led to a re-evaluation/re-examination of self-identity: over the course of the nineteenth century, various
reform and revival movements, religious and social, took root across the country. Reform in Punjab though, where the
British insisted on retaining control over the running of the Gurudwaras, could not help but be a sword with a sharp
political edge. The Singh Sabha was formed in the 1870s, and the Sikhs began to gather for discussion and collective
decision-making once again. As the nineteenth century turned into the twentieth, these reform movements, sometimes
belligerent like the Kukas, sometimes placatory like the Singh Sabha, began to crystallize into a politics of nationalism.
Evolution of Amritsar- Dossier for nominating Amritsar as World Heritage Site, Pg 104
7

With no religious taboos or communal restrictions barring overseas travel, and a scriptural tradition that encouraged
exploration, Sikhs were prime material both for recruitment in the army, and as a workforce to be deployed across the
breadth of the British Empire. At the same time, Ghadarites, radicalised immigrants returning from abroad, poured
through the countryside, urging people not to help the British war effort, and demand freedom. Concurrently, the
Khilafat movement, calling for a pan-Islamic identity formation, and allegiance to an international cause, tugged at local
loyalties. By the end of the Great War, India was crippled by the demands for money and manpower due to which
frustration and expectations ran equally high. The government offered up the Rowlatt Bills – repressive, reactionary
measures against ‘seditious activity’ that the government seemed to think a necessity. Seen as a slap on the face, agitations
spread across the country, and despite anger running high, the gatherings and demonstrations were peaceful and non-
violent. In Amritsar, Dr. Satya Pal and Kitchlew led a procession through the streets of Amritsar, in which a few people
dressed in the uniform of the Turkish Army, and the crowd sang along to ‘God Save the King’, shaking the
administration into retaliatory action. The leaders were picked up and sent to the hills, and the situation deteriorated
rapidly into Martial law.
On the 13th of April, 1919, Baisakhi (originally Bisowa Divas, with a tradition of congregating and gathering in huge
numbers that goes back to Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru [Fauja Singh, Ch. 1 “The Founder” in The City of
Amritsar, Oriental Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi, 1978, p. 11]), thousands of unarmed civilians, gathered to
listen to a speech, or merely out of curiosity or tradition, in Jallianwala Bagh, a long stone’s throw from Sri Harmandir
Sahib, were shot at from the single narrow entrance by army troops under General Dyer’s direct supervision. Figures
vary widely on the estimated number of mortalities, but every report asserts an exact 1,605 shells were fired.
The first successful Satyagrah was staged here in this city. Through the early ‘Twenties, the Akali movement for
regaining control over the running of gurduwaras using non-violent resistance ran through the countryside, nudging
awake a nascent political consciousness, and reviving an inclusive but proud identity: the Guru Ka Bagh Morcha in
1921, where nearly 1,650 Sikhs were beaten to unconsciousness and 5,605 arrested upto November 1922, was one such
movement. For nearly two years, volunteers kept arriving to replenish the numbers of those marching and offering non-
violent protest.
As Dr. Rajendra Prasad saw it, “A Few well-built, strong Sikhs would move forward with folded hands. A posse of
police, under a British Officer armed with lathis would stop them. The Satyagrahis would squat and the police would
start beating them with the lathis. The moment the policemen paused, the satyagrahi would rise and move again. The
policemen would redouble their lathi charge. These practices would go on until the Satyagrahi fell unconscious.”
In January 1922, a court official surrendered the keys of the Golden Tem
ple treasury, earlier seized by the government, to the President of the SGPC. In a telegram to SGPC President, Baba
Kharak Singh, Mahatma Gandhi congratulated him for the ‘[f]irst decisive battle of India’s Freedom won.’ It wasn’t till
1925 that a law was passed granting Sikh bodies control of their gurdwaras.
In the 1930s, with the rider of communal electorates on the granting of provincial government, politics was
communalised on the basis of religion. In 1941, six fateful years before one fateful year, recognizing the futility of
imposing religious categorization along European lines in a country that blithely continued to blend and blur these lines,
the census commissioner for India ceased to record the religious figures for the Hindus. In an uncanny echo of Ibbetson
[as the census commissioner of Punjab in 1881 Ibbetson expressed his doubts "no other one of the details which we
have recorded is so difficult to fix with exactness [as religion]” Report on the Census of the Panjab,1881, Vol. I, by
D.C.J. Ibbetson, Calcutta, 1883, p. 101 cited in Harjot Oberoi, p. 9] " he found ‘the religious question itself
‘unsatisfactory’, and was alarmed at the ‘most unscientific position’ of an administration attempting to delineate
community or origin from these putative religious figures.[Census of India, 1941, Vol. I, India, by M.W.M Yeatts, Delhi,
1943, p. 28, cited in Harjot Oberoi, p. 10]In 1947, relying on these same figures, Cyril Radcliffe drew lines on a map,
and the blood spilled through.
During Partition, in 1947, the Muslim population of Amritsar fell from 49 per cent of the population on the eve of
partition to just 00.52 per cent in 1951. In Lahore, the Hindus and Sikhs, over a third of the population, departed for
India. Ten million Punjabis were uprooted. The same sort of divisive politics would lead to further partition of the state
along linguistic lines in the 1960s. Peasant agitation in the early Eighties against centrally decided policies of crop
procurement and pricing, in which they felt they had no say, played neatly into the same separatist mold. Martial law
was declared, and the Army was deployed.
2.2.5 Operation Blue Star

In June 1984, the Indian Government sent tanks into the temple complex. The fighting which ensued defaced the
complex, damaged the Akal Takht, and desecrated sacred texts. Rare and valuable manuscripts were lost to fire and
confusion that ensued. “The Akal Takht was hurriedly rebuilt by the Government but demolished by the Sikhs
themselves to be built afresh with their own resources.” [III – 29]
The events of 1984 brought Amritsar back onto the global centre stage. Sikhs from abroad rushed in vast sums of
money and resources for the rebuilding and restoration of the damaged complex. 8After Operation Blue Star, a buffer
zone was created immediately outside the Harimandir. This is known as the Galiara.
This influx of attention gave a new fillip to commerce and industry, and the inhabitants, having lost none of their
entrepreneurial zeal, were quick to build on it. Guru Ram Das’ visionary interpretation of the complex interplay and
symbiotic interdependence between the shrine and the business of living that surrounds it continues to hold true:
millions from all over the world pour into Amritsar in a constant and steady stream to visit the shrine, and flow through
the long markets and crowded, crooked streets to add to the pulse of the city. Amritsar remains true to the principles
of its founding fathers: Nanak’s ideas of pluralism, inclusion, and humility continue to inform both the Sikh faith and
the culture of Amritsar. The city continues to be a bustling, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic melange of industry and zeal.
The growth of the city as it has been over the year’s shows a huge connection between the Grand Trunk road and the
city itself. Both have flourished and grown due to the existence of the other. With the growth that was witnessed by
Amritsar since the inception of the city has been the reason that led to the Grand Trunk road to be aligned in a manner
that it could connect to fast developing and every growing Amritsar to the other important political, social and
economical settlements of the region.
8Evolution of Amritsar- Dossier for nominating Amritsar as World Heritage Site, Pg 106

2.3 Regional Setting

The location coordinates of Amritsar district lies between 31° 29' and 32° 03' North latitudes and between 74° 29' and
75° 23' East longitudes. It is the third largest border district of the state after Ferozepur and Gurdaspur. Tarn Taran is
the smallest among the four border districts. Besides being the district headquarter and an important tourist destination
(due to the existence of Golden Temple, Durgiana Mandir, Jallianwala Bagh, etc.), the regional importance of Amritsar
can be assessed as follows:
i. The close proximity to the Indo Pak Border has given a great set back to the development of the city. The
border on one hand restricts growth in the North West direction of the city and on the other hand makes it a
point of tourist attraction being an “International Border”.
ii. Amritsar is the second largest city of Punjab and a great centre of learning and literature. It has number of
educational institutions of regional importance, such as Guru Nanak Dev University, Khalsa College, ten
Degree Colleges, two B. Ed. colleges, two Engineering Colleges, nine Nursing Colleges, two
Polytechnics/Industrial Training Institutes, one Medical College, one Ayurvedic College, two Dental Colleges
and four distance education centers.
iii. It has emerged as a magnificent centre of trade and industry. There are approximately 25,000 industrial units in
the district Amritsar with major commodities of production and export being woolen blankets, embroidered
clothes, printed textiles, shawls, carpets, food items, such as papad, pickles, etc.
iv. At regional level, it has also emerged has a great centre of heritage and historical significance. The history of
Amritsar is more than 400 years old and is intricately intertwined with the birth of Sikh religion.
v. Presence of Raja sansi International Airport has also helped in giving it due importance at regional level. At
present, it handles approximately 150 commercial flights per week, both domestic and international.
vi. Amritsar also enjoys regional importance as it has developed as the major centre for agriculture and allied
activities over the period. The Amritsar district has 8 mandi’s namely, Amritsar, Rayya, Gehri, Ajnala, Mehta,
Chogawan, Majitha and Attari. Out of these, six mandis except Ajnala and Mehta, fall under Local Planning
Area ( L.P.A) of Amritsar.
vii. Presence of strong regional linkages, two National Highways namely NH 1 and NH 15, three State Highways,
four main district roads and twenty four other district roads places it at a very strategic position with respect to
the other districts by providing connectivity to the other parts of the state and country as well. Apart from the
extensive road network, it also enjoys good rail and air connectivity with the other parts of the country. 9
9
Master Plan – Amritsar, Notified April 29,2011, pg. 343 & 344


2.4.1 Topography10
Amritsar district lies amidst River Beas (to the east) separating Amritsar from Kapurthala and River Ravi (to the west).
It is located in the lower part of Upper Bari Doab Canal giving it a saucer like shape. It is interesting to note that river
Beas joins Satluj River at the confluence of Ferozepur, Tarn Taran and Kapurthala districts. As Punjab plain is a part of
Indo-Gangetic system, Amritsar also has alluvial deposits brought by Beas and Ravi rivers. The soil in Amritsar is a light
reddish-yellow loam (colloquially called maira) that becomes somewhat stiffer at the Doab, finally deteriorating into
sandy and slightly uneven soil (colloquially called tibba).
Amritsar has a levelled plain area situated at an elevation of about 200 meters in the North East to about 175 meters in
the South West. The terrain of Amritsar can be put under three categories: The Upland Plain, Bluff along the Beas and
Floodplain of Sutlej.
2.4.2 Climate11
The district has a continental climate typical of North-West Indian region. It comprises of the winter season (November
to March) when temperatures ranges from 16 °C (61 °F) to about 4 °C (39 °F), the hot season (April to June) when
temperatures can reach 45 °C (113 °F), monsoon season (July to September) and post-monsoon (September to
November). The annual rainfall is about 790 millimeters (31.1 in). The lowest recorded temperature since 1970 is −2.6
°C (27 °F) recorded on 21 Jan 2005. The highest temperature recorded was 47.7 °C (117.9 °F) on 21 May 1978.
The climate is generally characterized by dry weather except the brief southwest monsoon season, hot summer and
bracing winter. Amritsar receives on an average 601.5 mm of rainfall with around 33 rainy days. The wind direction of
Amritsar is from North-West to South-East.
2.5 Forest and Bio Diversity

Amritsar LPA lacks in the provision of open and green spaces, therefore a zoological park has been proposed at Rakh
Bhusian near Sarai Amanat Khan, which has already been declared as a protected forest. This would help in preserving
the rare species of animals, birds and plantations/trees, besides improving quality of environment in the area.12
The Master Plan proposes a green belt along the UBDC to protect its environs which is an indicator of the importance
given to protecting the little natural and water features left in the city- though much more requires to be done to protect
the larger catchment of all sources of water. Protecting more green areas and recommending greening of land is required
to protect the virtually non-existant natural green spaces in the city of Amritsar.
10
Master Plan – Amritsar, Notified April 29,2011, pg. 345
11
12

2.6 Demography
2.6.1 Demographic Character

Municipal Corporation, Amritsar has been found to be the most urbanized settlement of the L.P.A comprising of 61%
population of the LPA. Municipal Corporation, Amritsar constitutes 91.5% of urban population of the Amritsar district.
Among the other four major urban settlements within L.P.A, Jandiala has 2.14% share of the urban population of the
district and Rajasansi has least urban population share of 1.1%. (Refer Table 1) Among the 310 rural settlements falling
in Amritsar LPA, Budha Then is a census town according to census 2001.13
Table 2-1 Distribution of Urban Population in Major Towns of Amritsar District
Name Urban Population %age to District Urban

Population
Amritsar District 11,10,811 -
M. Corp. Amritsar * 10,16,079 91.50%
Jandiala M. Cl 23,834 2.14%
Rayya N.P. 12,631 1.14%
Majitha M. Cl 12,992 1.17%
Rajasansi N.P. 12,176 1.10%
Source: Census of India, 2001
* Population of Cantonment and Outgrowth is also included into the population of M. Corp. Amritsar.
2.6.2 Population Growth – Amritsar 14

Amritsar, the second metropolitan city of Punjab has a total population of 10,16,079 persons (including outgrowth) and
ranked 33rd in the list of 35 metropolitan cities as per census 2001 and ranks 274th in the world’s list of 1000 largest
urban settlements (2005). The population growth rate of Amritsar M.C. has been analysed from time period of 1901 up
to 2001 which is shown in the figure below.
Figure 2-20 Population Growth of Municipal Corporation Amritsar;
13Master Plan – Amritsar, Notified April 29,2011, pg. 351


The rapid growth of the city has been observed since 1855, when the census was conducted for the first time and the
city recorded a population of 1,12,186 persons, emerging as the largest city of Punjab which was overtaken by Lahore
in the year 1881. Thereafter, a rapid upward trend was observed with growth rate as high as 65.3% for 1921-1931 and
47.64% for 1931-1941. Spatially the city grew from an area of 840 acres (walled city) in 1849 to about 8316.49 acres in
the 1940’s. The city had reached a population of nearly 4 lakhs and was ranked 9th largest city of un-divided India as
per census of 1941. It was also speculated that if the city had not suffered the partition setback in 1947, Amritsar would
have achieved metropolitan status decades ago. While population growth dropped to -14.04%, a major slowdown in
physical growth was observed due to its close proximity to the international border. Though in absolute terms
population growth did occur but the growth rate (16% for both decades 1951-1961, 1961-1971) was less than half the
growth rate in the decade from 1931-1941. The decade from 1931-1941 that was immediate before the partition was
also impacted by the two wars with Pakistan which again inflicted losses and slackened the pace of development.
However, in recent development of post 1990, the city has bounced, back to make swift strides to become the second
largest city of Punjab state after Ludhiana and achieving the fastest growth rate (42.67%) amongst all the class I centres
of Punjab for the decade 1991-2001.
Table 2-2 Demographic Trend, Annual Growth Rate and Population Density in Amritsar
Category of Total Growth Population density

the Population Rate (no. of persons/sq.km)
Settlements 1981 1991 2001 1991 2001 1981 1991 2001
Amritsar (MC) 5,94,844 7,08,835 10,16,079 19.16 42.67 5,173 6,163 7,137
2.6.3 Population Density15

The population density in Amritsar L.P.A was of the order of 1,190 persons/square kilometres in2001 where as density
in rural area stood at 481 persons/square kilometre. In comparison to that, the population density of Amritsar city was
7,137 persons per square km, which is six times higher than L.P.A. Taking into consideration the ward wise density in
Amritsar, the highest density is observed in the 12 wards which fall within the walled city having density more than 300
persons per hectare (PPH) whereas 7 wards falling outside walled city also have density in the range of 300 persons per
hectare and above.
The highest density observed within the wards is of ward number 21 and 4 where it is of the order of 860 persons per
hectare and 740 persons per hectare respectively. The ward number 4 is located within the walled city area while ward
number 21 is located adjoining the walled city in the southern direction and have density approximately 10 times higher
than the city’s gross density. The lowest density is of ward number 18, which is of the order of 15 persons per hectare
and is merely one fourth of city’s gross density. Further, it has been analyzed that 56.3% of high-density area lies within
walled city Amritsar. This makes it crucial as walled city constituting 2.5 % or 1/41th (3.47 sq.km) of the total
city area (142.37sq.km) houses 15% or 1/6th of the M.C.A population (1, 60,000 persons approximately). Due
to such high density, prevailing in the city core poor quality of life and unhealthy living conditions have been witnessed

which requires special strategies. This statistic highlights the importance of carefully documenting the walled city and
analysing its characteristics to evaluate condition of infrastructure and use to develop strategies for development and
improve quality of life. Towards this end, the City HRIDAY Plan includes mapping done of educational institutions,
open/green/vacant spaces and bazaars in the walled city along with development (especially commercial) on the edges
of the walled city on the circular road.
Figure 2-21 Amritsar Map with ward wise density;
Source: Master Plan Amritsar
2.6.4 Sex Ratio16

There has been decrease in the sex ratio of M.C Amritsar from 883 in 1991 to 865 in 2001.

2.6.5 Literacy Rate17

The literacy rate is highest in M.C Amritsar compared to other urban settlements in L.P.A which stands at 79.55% as
per census 2001.
2.6.6 Existing Landuse

As per the Existing Land Use Plan-Amritsar M.C 2010, it has been observed that 58.54% of the total municipal
corporation area is built over while the remaining 41.5% of the area is under agriculture use or is vacant at present.
Classification of landuse:
i.Residential
ii.Commercial
iii.Mixed land use
iv.Industrial
v.Recreational
vi.Traffic & Transportation
vii.Public-Semi public
viii.Government Land
ix.Utilities and services
x.Agriculture and
xi.Special areas.
Figure 2-22 Percentage of LPA area covered in existing Land-use Plan 2010
The above chart shows the percentage of LPA area identified in the existing land use plan of
the city. The major portions of the land comes under agricultural (84.26% of LPA),
residential and traffic &transportation (2.13% of LPA).
60
50
40
30
20
10
% of developed area
0
% of M.C. Area


Figure 2-23 Existing land Use Plan Amritsar 201
Commercial
The Master Plan identifies that historically the city of Amritsar was the most important centre of trade and commerce
and has the same status at present for local level as well as at the regional level. The master plan proposes that the
existing commercial area (specifically within the walled city) is to be ‘retained, developed, augmented and identifies that
there is need to enhance the existing infrastructure services’. It further explains that the area proposed for additional
commercial land use will be utilized for creating state of art infrastructure for certain wholesale and bulk material markets
such as fish market, iron market, building materials market etc. existing inside the walled city area which are to be
shifted outside the walled city.
Figure 2-24: Major Specialized bazaars of Amritsar City as per the Master Plan
Areas have been identified for the development of new shopping complexes and Malls on the Ajnala road near Rajasansi
International Airport. Likewise it also gives proposal for identification of areas within as well as outside the walled city
for setting up of Food Courts near Hall gate, G.T.B hospital, Ajnala Road, Mall road, near existing Bus Stand/ Railway
Station and G.N.D.U.
The Master Plan recommends shifting the wholesale grain market from Bhagtanwala grain market to outside the city
on the Southern Ring Road. The proposal has been given for three reasons – (i) to minimize the traffic congestion in
the city caused by influx of large number of vehicles including trucks, trolleys, rehras etc. (ii) to shift the wholesale food
grain trade presently being carried out within the walled city and (iii) easy marketing for farmers. However the vacant
land has been proposed to be developed as shopping malls, multiplexes, hotels, eating joints etc.

Figure 2-25: Mapping of locations of bazaars in the walled city for the City HRIDAY Plan
Mixed Land Use

Mixed Land use development has been proposed along the major road network i.e. Outer ring road (R1), Middle ring
road (R2), City ring road (R2) and other R2 and R3 roads on either side. The master plan recommends that the
development along these to be governed by Development Control Regulations/ Detailed Schemes prepared for the
zone.
i.Mixed Land use

ii.Industrial
iii.Public & Semi Public
iv.Government Land
v.Recreation
vi.Rural & Agricultural Zone
vii.Conservation Areas
viii.Forest Areas

Recreational
The Master Plan of Amritsar recognizes that open space in the city is currently abysmally low at 0.88% (in a planned
city it is required to be at 15 to 20%). As earlier mentioned, 56.3% of high-density area lies within walled city Amritsar,
which analysed in context to the fact that the walled city constitutes only 2.5 % of the total area but houses 15% M.C.A
population brings to the fore the severe paucity of open/ green spaces in the walled city which is illustrated in the
mapping presented below.
Figure 2-26: Mapping of open/ green/ vacant spaces in the walled city and its immediate environs (Detailed inventories are present in
Volume IV: Annexures)
Locating Educational and Cultural Institutions
Figure 2-27: Mapping of Educational Institutions in the walled city (See Volume IV: Annexures for detailed inventories of each)

Figure 2-28: The spread of Educational and Cultural Institutions within the MCA limits of Amritsar
2.7 Tourist Footfall

According to the Department of Statistics at the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB), there were
21,348,880 Domestic Tourists Visits (DTV) in 2013- a growth rate of 11.99% over 2012, and 204,074 Foreign Tourist
Visits (FTV), an impressive growth rate of 41.91% over 2012, albeit from a low base18. A majority of visitors use rail
and road as mode of transport because of its high connectivity with other parts of the country. The total number of
tourists and visitors coming to the city are estimated to be 36 million per annum.19
Figure 2-29: Tourist Visitation in Punjab from 2009 -2014 , Source: PHTPB www.punjabtourism.gov.in
Amritsar Integrated Tourism Development and Destination Marketing Plan, December 2014, Prepared by UNWTO for PHTPB,
18
Govt of Punjab

Figure 2-30: Top 5 Districts in Punjab to receive domestic tourists showing Amritsar at the top, Source: PHTPB www.punjabtourism.gov.in
Figure 2-31: Top 5 Districts in Punjab to receive foreign tourists showing Amritsar at the top, Source: PHTPB www.punjabtourism.gov.in
Amritsar is by far the most visited destination in Punjab. According to PHTPB statistics Amritsar District received 55%
of all Domestic Tourist Visits to Punjab in 2013 and 85.64% of all Foreign Tourist Visits. To illustrate the importance
of Amritsar to Punjab Tourism Ludhiana, the second most visited district and Punjab’s business centre, accounted for
just 15.22% of DTV and 11.35% of FTV.
Of the five top attractions/destinations in Punjab, the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) is the most visited
accounting for 28,280,000 day visitors in 2013 and the Attari Border (also known as the Wagah Border) is the third
most visited attraction accounting for 5,409,000 day visitors (although stakeholders in Amritsar estimate that the figure
is substantially higher). There are several important tourism resources and religious sites that draw visitors from around
India and from around the world which are described in detail in Chapter 3. PHTPB and an Asian Development Bank
(ADB) team are restoring several of the tourism sites and developing new ones to enhance the tourism appeal of the
area and retain visitors longer by providing additional activities and attractions to enjoy20.
Amritsar Integrated Tourism Development and Destination Marketing Plan, December 2014, Prepared by UNWTO for PHTPB,
20
Govt of Punjab

Table 2-3 Year-wise tourist visits in Amritsar (Jan-Dec)
S.No. Year Amritsar

1 2013 1,20,58,034
2 2014 1,53,68,340
3 2015 (Jan – March) 45,10,023
Figure 2-32: Top 5 most visited sites in Amritsar District showing the highest visitation at Golden Temple ; Source: PHTPB
www.punjabtourism.gov.in
2.8 Economy
2.8.1 Occupational Structure21
The occupational structure of LPA Amritsar has been assessed by the number of workers engaged in the four categories
namely cultivators, agricultural labourers, household industry and others as described in census 2001.
It has been observed that 93% of the workers in Amritsar city are engaged in tertiary activities, 4% in household industry
and 3% in primary activities i.e cultivators and agricultural labourers. Likewise, 77.9 % of the working population in the
Amritsar LPA is engaged in the tertiary activities with 18.33 % in primary activities.

Table 2-4 Year-wise tourist visits in Punjab (Jan-Dec)

Class
ificati NIC
Type of worker 1991 2001
on Code
No.
Number of % age Number of % age
workers workers
(I) PRIMARY
1 A&B Cultivators 4,603 2.16 3,004 0.97

2 Agricultural labourers 12,405 5.81 6,213 2.02
3 Plantation, Livestock, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting and 1,398 0.65 3,023 0.98
allied activities
4 C Mining and Quarrying 9 0.00 212 0.07
(II) SECONDARY
5(a) D Manufacturing processing and repairs industry 483 0.23 12,317 4.00
(Household industry)
5(b) Manufacturing processing and repairs industry (Other 660,678 28.43 67,632 21.94
than Household)
E Electricity, Gas and Water Supply 3,592 1.17
6 F Constructions 6,957 3.26 20,989 6.81

(III) TERTIARY
7 G Whole sale and Retail trade 64,730 30.32 79,033 25.64

H Hotels and Restaurants 4,073 1.32
8 I Transport, Storage and Communications 15,903 7.45 24,595 7.98

9 J&K Financial Intermission; Real estate Renting and Business 46,293 21.69 19,814 6.43
Activities
L to Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social 63,700 20.67
Q Security; Education; Health and Social Work; Other
Community, Social and Personal Service Activities;
Private Households with Employed Persons; Extra-
Territorial Organisations and
Bodies.
Total 2,13,459 100.00 3,08,197 100.00
The table above shows that the main workers in Amritsar city, classified into 9 categories as per census 2001. It has
been found that out of the total workers in Amritsar city, 26.96% of the workers are engaged in wholesale and retail
trade followed by 21.94% in manufacturing, processing and repairs industry and 20.67% in public administration and
others since Amritsar is the district head quarter. The increase in number of workers have been observed in the
construction, manufacturing processing and repair industry (household industry) and in the ninth category which
includes financial intermediaries, real estate renting and business activities and public administration and defence
services (J&K and L to Q).

2.8.2 Dependency Ratio22

Dependency Ratio in any settlement/city is an indicator of total number of non-workers dependant on total number of
workers and is calculated as per 100 workers. Amritsar city has dependency ratio higher (214) than that of state (167)
and district (178).
Amritsar has a high dependency ratio, it would be prudent for the planning organisations specifically those working in
the area of training, capacity building and skills development to identify the varied groups that could be offered
opportunities to make the population more productive and reduce the dependency ratio. Creative industries related to
the traditional skills could be one such important area for interventions.
2.8.3 Industrial Growth23

Amritsar before partition was renowned in terms of industries of woollen tweeds, suiting’s, blankets, shawls etc but got
setback later. Amritsar district in overall had 26,080 numbers of small-scale industrial units with 1,15,423 numbers of
workers and 13 numbers of large/medium scale units with 5,910 number of workers in 2007.
In existing status, it has been observed that 69% of the district’s small scale industries are located within the Amritsar
city employing approximately 71% of the workers engaged in small scale industrial units. Nearly 61.5% of the medium
and large- scale units are located within the city which includes Khanna Paper Mill on Fatehgarh Churian Road, Verka
Milk Plant, Northern Railway Mechanical Workshop, O.C.M Mill on Attari Road, Gopi Fabrics Pvt. Ltd etc.
Table 2-5 Major Industrial Locations in Amritsar City

S.No. Industrial Locations S.No. Industrial Locations
Focal Point, along Vallah road – Mixed
1 6 Putlighar, Islamabad – Textile
(Engineering, textile, etc.)
Focal Point Extention, along Vallah Road – Chheharta Industrial Area, G.T.Road, towards
2 7
Mixed (Engineering, Textile, etc.) Attari – Textile
Verka Industrial Area along Batala Road –
3 New Focal Point along Mehta Road 8
Textile
4 Industries in East Mohan Nagar 9 Majitha Road – Textile
Along G.T. Road towards Amritsar Engineering
5 10 Batala Road - textile
College
Industrial Employment and Production

Amritsar city has the highest number of small scale units (17,985units) as compared to medium and large scale units
which are only 8 in numbers and also provides highest employment (81,772), the share of employment in city comes to
70.84% of the district.
Keeping in view the positive contribution made by small-scale industrial units in the employment generation, the similar
contribution has been done in their investment as well as production in the district. Total investment in case of small-
scale industries was of the order of Rs 695.32 crores while in case of large and medium scale industries, it was of the


order of Rs 921.33 crores. Similarly, small-scale industries also stand highest in case of production, in the year 2007, the
production from small scale units stands at Rs 3,836.61 crores as against the large / medium scale units Rs 826.51crores.
Industrial Estate/Focal Point

Focal Points have been setup in the city of Amritsar by Department of Industries under State Government Policy to
facilitate industrial development in cities with potential for industrialization. Amritsar with high potential for industrial
growth has three focal points. The details of the focal points and industrial estates in Amritsar city within L.P.A are
given in the table below. It is not known the place house hold industries have in planning of focal points. Considering
the creative industries is a house hold industry it would be prudent to document the numbers employed in household
industry and its need for further development. Household industries have a long chain or production and thereby
provides livelihood opportunities to several. These are also non polluting industry and contributes to the cultural identity
of a place.
2.9 Tourism Infrastructure
The Master Plan reports on the activities being undertaken by Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board as the
body associated with Department of Cultural Affairs and Arcaheology and that of Department of Tourism in
undertaking several heritage conservation and infrastructure development projects for development of attractions for
tourists on one hand and provision of services on these sites on the other.
For facilitating and guiding the tourists, the department has created Tourist Information Centres at Amritsar Railway
Station, Wagha Border and Airport. It is reported that more than 50 personnels have been engaged by the department
as guide for visitors. Most of the tourist guides are said to be positioned at major centers of tourist influx including
Golden Temple, Bus Stand, Wagha Border, Railway Station, Air Port and Durgiana Temple. In addition, the Shiromani
Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC) also assists the pilgrims and tourists visiting the Golden Temple.24
The City HRIDAY Plan extensively engages with existing and proposed tourist infrastructure throughout the report.
Chapter 3 provides an in depth analysis of the health of cultural institutions in Amritsar, which is further supported by
a robust study done in Chapter 6 to evaluate and profile the visitors coming in to Amritsar. This study explores their
various movement patterns in and around Amritsar, the requirements of accommodation, food, public facilities,
transport and roads and shopping to further improve these services. It looks at various other sites besides the Darbar
Sahib (Sri Harimandir Sahib) and explores their potential for growth in order to attract more visitors leading to a more
equitable distribution within the city and preventing congestion. Additionally, Chapter 4 provides an extensive review
of ongoing projects in the city towards improvement of city and tourist infrastructure.

Chapter Three
Appraisal of Heritage
and Cultural Assets of
Amritsar
3.1. Introduction
3.2 Tangible Heritage

3.3. Intangible Heritage
3.4 Cultural Heritage Mapping:

the resounding themes
Appraisal of Heritage and Cultural Assets of Amritsar
3 Appraisal of Heritage and Cultural

Assets of Amritsar
3.1 Introduction
HRIDAY scheme is an unprecedented opportunity to improve the quality of life of the people of Amritsar through
investment in its cultural and natural heritage sites. As cities around the world become increasingly homogenized while
facing immense development pressures, the unique character of heritage cities distinguishes them as of unique character
from other cities in a globalised economy. The potential of Amritsar´s diverse cultural assets has been identified to
inform the strategic development plan for the city which is responsive to the needs of the people of the city including
children and the economically vulnerable sections of society. This has been considered necessary as cultural and natural
heritage sites of significance underpin the character and identity of communities and neighborhoods, embody
accumulated knowledge and traditions that are an integral source of livelihood and lastly, inform environmental sensitive
solutions to geographically specific problems.
While Amritsar’s cultural assets continue to exist, its built heritage, traditional crafts, spiritual practices, and traditional
city design has suffered from lack of maintenance and economic investment, unmitigated pressures of urban growth,
population shifts, and increased visitation. Also, the fragile condition of cultural assets is the result of unsustainable
financial resources which are dependent on the state development plans (which has heritage low in its list of priorities),
those prepared at the national level such as the finance plans. Further limited technical capacities of the asset owning
and planning organizations for conservation and development of cultural and natural heritage assets as part of the large
urban development framework has an immense adverse impact on the health of these resources. Further, absence of
institutions for appropriate management, operation and maintenance of heritage assets and related facilities further
compromise the assets and character/ imagibility of the city in general.
Though seemingly resilient, cultural assets are most vulnerable to inappropriate interventions in and around them due
to insensitive planning. These are non-renewable resources whose value, use, and survival cannot be detached from
their setting or the people that interact with them. Assessment of institutional capacity and human resources of sector
agency/ies to plan, protect, develop and manage the heritage resource is necessary as part of the strategic development
plan. Moreover, cultural heritage resource management requires processes and programs to engage local communities
to enhance the socio cultural, educational and economic linkages between local communities and their heritage.
Heritage assets require to be protected and conserved on one hand while allowing revitalization by creating conditions
for direct engagement of people with their heritage. Given the diverse nature of communities, people from all walks of
life, urban to rural, of diverse beliefs and practices, privileged and marginalized, old and young, farmers, artisans,
professionals and entrepreneurs, the City HRIDAY Plan must resonate with all.
Initiatives towards preservation of heritage sites and their surroundings are often at odds with development initiatives.
HRIDAY presents a commendable vision which recognizes heritage sites, not as monuments in isolation, but as heritage
“assets” in the city fabric conservation and revitalization of which as ‘people’s spaces’ would be a key indicators of
sustainable urban development and improvement in quality of life of its citizens. The scheme offers a platform to
develop a holistic vision for the city as a heritage and cultural destination, through strategic planning approaches and
identification of program based initiatives centered on civic infrastructure around heritage.

3.2 Tangible Assets
3.2.1 Key Sites of Historic and Cultural Significance

The city is dotted with sites, each bearing and adding to the layers of history of Amritsar, and in the larger context that
of Punjab, India and even that of the international diaspora. However, in this maze of complex historical fabric that
defines the city, what essentially meets the eye is scattered representations of the layered events forming the tangible
assets of the city.
The town of Amritsar is a fine example of the complex and composite culture of India. A thriving market and
manufacturing centre situated on the primary overland trade route of the northern sub-continent, it amalgamated the
two primary factors underpinning the evolution of urban culture through the ages, commerce and religion, drawing to
itself pilgrims, traders and craftsmen alike. The city includes sites of tremendous cultural and historical significance.
Based on their chronology:
From the Period of Gurus (from founding to 1708) and Period of the Struggle & Misals (1708-1800)
Interfaith
Sacred Guru ka
engagement -
Sri Harmandir Sarovars- Bazaar -
Dargah, Historic city
Sahib Ramsar , Traditional
Temple,
Bibeksar Bazaars
Church
i. Sri Harimandir Sahib: Sri Harimandir Sahib, also called the GoldenTemple, is a living symbol of the spiritual
and historical traditions of the Sikhs. The sacred tank and the shrine have been a source of inspiration to the
Sikh community ever since its foundation.
ii. Traditional Markets/Katras: The city of Amritsar, with the AmritSarovar as its core, delineates a unique
linkage between spirituality and productivity. Drawing from the sanctity of the sacred pool, whose healing
power caused Guru Ramdas to build the sacred shrine within it, the GoldenTemple also lies at the core of a
major trade and manufacturing centre, situated on the prime overland trade route of northern India, the Grand
Trunk road. The beautiful frescos, pietradura and minakari on the walls of Darbar Sahib are an appropriate
setting for the bustling markets and craft centres that contextualize it. The four gates of the Temple,
Ghantaghar, Baba Atal, Saraiwla and ThadaSaheb, open out from the Parikrama to the flourishing markets of
the WalledCity, or Katras. The narrow lanes and alleys are full of a staggering variety of products, ranging from
fabric and dress accessories, to jewelry, to food items and utensils.
It is said that while excavating the tank, Guru Ramdas had actually invited 52 artisans including carpenters,
masons, blacksmiths, utensil makers, etc. to settle in the vicinity.(Sethi, G.R. in Fauja Singh, The City of
Amritsar: An Introduction. 2000. pp. 101-ff) Approximately 100 families set up their hutments here and
practised their trades through open markets. This acquired the name of Guru ka Bazaar. This confirms an initial
vision of linking the sacred shrine to the dynamism of commerce and productivity, which would ensure its
sustainability. The market dynamism of the city grew in strength over time, and skilled artisans and craftsmen
were encouraged to settle here and participate in the development of the city. The period of Maharaja Ranjit
Singh saw the development of a wholesale market for agricultural produce, thus linking the rural countryside
with the town. (Sri Harimandir Sahib, Nomination Dossier, vol. 1)

The famous Guru ka bazaar, commonly known as ‘Gold katra’, supplies gold to almost the whole of northern
India. There are more than 2500 shops in the katra. A shop here could be a big showroom or a small box-like
place in a corner. The most interesting feature about this katra is that the upper storeys of the buildings, which
look like houses from outside, are in fact a large wholesale and production market of gold ornaments. Each
building has a minimum of 40-50 shops in it, making gold ornaments. The gold wholesalers and karigars(artisans)
are also spread in the next katra - the bazaar Kesarian -equally famous for steel and brass utensils. The shops
displaying different varieties of utensils, shining brightly under electric lamps, run into hundreds. Close to the
DarshniDeori is a huge bazaar for artificial jewellery.
The most famous of all the katrasis the Papad-Warianbazaar - katraKathian. One smells the place even before
one reaches there. Rows and rows of fresh papadand warian( made with pulses)all home-made, are ready for
sale. Next to it is the Mishribazaar - the dry fruit market. It is believed that dry fruit from Afghanistan also
reaches here. The rows of huge sacks filled with different varieties of dry fruits, remind us that Amritsar lay on
the longest overland trade route linking Calcutta with Peshawar, and beyond to Kabul and joining the Silk route.
The next market, Katra Mohan Singh, offers bridal accessories like bangles, kaliras, etc.The red and cream
bangles (churras) with gold accessories are a must for all Punjabi brides. These are sent to other states also for
sale.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1801-1849)
Rambagh Gate and

Rambagh Garden Gobindgharh Fort
Rampart
iii. Rambagh Garden: Built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh as his summer palace, the palace and garden are named
after Guru Ramdas, the founder of the city. The palace has been converted into a museum and is currently
under conservation and renovation.
iv. Rambagh Gate: The only surviving gate from the Shahar Panah – the fortified city of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
v. Gobindgarh Fort: The fort occupies a unique place in Indian military history. Built in 1760, it was called
Bhangianda Quila(Bhangis were one of the 12 Sikh misls). According to historians, in 1808, the fort was known
as the fort of Gujjar Singh Bhangi. Later it was re-built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh with the help of Jodh Singh.
The Maharaja strengthened the fortification of the fort to keep his treasures and treaties in safety. The specially
constructed toshakhana, in the Centre of the fort, also stored a large amount of grains and provisions for the
12,000-strong army. The PhansiGhar located in Gobindgarh Fort is the place where a large number of city
residents had lost their dear ones during summary trials under the British rule.

British Rule (1849-1947)
Upper Bari
Fortifications 40 khoo, or 40
Jallianwalla Doab Canal
and Gates wells and
Bagh and power
(Circular Road) power house
house
vi. Fortifications and Gates of the Walled City: One of the starkest impact of the British rule to the landscape
of Amritsar was the demolition and subsequent rebuilding of the fortifications and gates of the walled city. In
an attempt to erase the memory of the Sikh King’s physical contributions to consolidating the urban fabric and
protecting the city, the high and robust fortifications were demolished and its debris were used to fill the
adjoining moat. This gave way to a very wide road encircling the city which exists even today, known as the
‘circular road’. A much smaller wall encircling the city was rebuilt under British rule and gates reconstructed
with a colonial vocabulary distinguished by pointed arches and flanking octagonal bastions. Fragments of this
wall exist today in a state of serious decay.
vii. JallianwalaBagh: This is a memorial to the almost 2000 Indians who were shot by the forces of General Dyer
for holding a peaceful protest against the draconian Rowlatt Act on Baisakhi, 13 April 1919. The incident was
a turning point in India’s freedom struggle, as Mahatma Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement
and Rabindranath Tagore returned his Nobel Prize. This poignant site is redolent with memories of the heroism
of common people who died for their convictions. The wall riddled with bullets and the well in which women
jumped with their children is still there for visitors to see and experience the terror and trauma of the time.
Early 20th Century
viii. DurgianaTemple: This shrine was built in the early 20th century and consecrated by Pt. Madan Mohan
Malviya, a nationalist leader. It echoes the built structure of the GoldenTemple, and has great symbolic value
as a focal point for nationalist identity through its link with the freedom struggle.
The following two sites are well visited sites in the larger Amritsar District. It is common place for visitors to
Amritsar city to make day trips to these sites:
ix. Atari Border: The road border crossing between India and Pakistan, and lies on the Grand Trunk Road,
between the cities of Amritsar, India and Lahore, Pakistan. It is a ceremonial border where each evening, armed
soldiers from each side of the border enact a particularly hostile parade while lowering their respective flags to
the sounding of bugles. Although the parade used to be hostile, over the past few years it has become much
more moderate. Now soldiers from both sides of the border shake hands before closing the border gates. This
is seen as the result of dialogues and the improved relationship between India and Pakistan.
x. Ram Tirath: This site is believed to be the site for the legendary ashram of Sage Valmiki, author of the
Ramayana, where Sita lived in exile and gave birth to her twin children Luv and Kush. The Bedis, an ancient
lineage in which Guru Nanak was born, are believed to have descended from Kush and the Sodhis from Luv.
See Volume IV: Annexures for Detailed Inventories of Key Sites of Significance

3.2.2 The Walled City

As the historic center to the city Amritsar, the walled city and the various attributes of historic value embodied in its
fabric requires special mention.
The foundations of the walled city were laid when the Fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das initiated the making of a settlement
around Amritsarovar (present day Golden Temple). Though the walled city constitutes only 2.44% of the total Municipal
Corporation area today, it houses 1/6th of the total population. It has a history spanning more than four centuries and
is marked by the presence of historical buildings including the Town Hall. As per Municipal Corporation Amritsar, there
are approximately 52 buildings within walled city (out of which 23 buildings are in Galiara) that are considered of
heritage value. However, the entire layered history of the walled city itself serves like a living history experience, dotted
with historical building, thriving traditional markets and religious places, all encased in myriad events and stories.
It offers a unique quality of economic growth and business development, while containing cultural and religious
landmarks of global fame and importance. It is the vibrant hub of trade and commerce and epitomises Amritsar City.
Typified by narrow, winding lanes, tall buildings and virtually no green spaces, the increasing demand for housing and
workspaces over the years has made this area very congested. Thus, the land use within the area is highly mixed.
Figure 3-1: Locational setting of Walled City and peripheral historical sites; Source: CRCI

Figure 3-2: Diverse cultural assets of the Walled City
The walled city was essentially built for pedestrian movement. The narrow zigzag street pattern is a typical medieval
planning concept and was not meant for vehicular movement. The maximum distance from one corner to another is 3
km and almost every area around Golden Temple (the nucleus of city) is within 1-2 km reach. So it could be visited by
foot from the remotest corner. Initially, the walled city of Amritsar was marked with number of parks and open spaces,
which over the time have been used for commercial purpose. The area such as Hall Gate, was initially a green open
space. Likewise, Ramanand Bagh, Jhande Wala Bagh, Kesari Bagh, Bagh Akalian, etc. were all green areas have now
been exploited for commercial use.
Figure 3-3: (Left to Right) Walled city 1849, Walled city 1947, Walled city 2010. (Master Plan Amritsar: Punjab Government Gazette,
April 29, 2011)

Sri Harmandir Sahib is the primary attraction for the visitors thronging Amritsar, however there are few other sites that
are popular in the memory of people like Jallianwala Bagh, traditional markets within the walled city and some outside
of the walled city like Durgiana Temple, Gobindgarh Fort, Rambagh Garden (Map 5) However, a majority of places of
considerable importance (historical structures, sacred spaces, palaces, forts, archaeological sites, memorials, gardens,
museums etc.) that help narrate the story of Amritsar go unnoticed by most. A compilation of sites of importance within
and outside the walled city have been made in following tables .
Table 1: Significant religious centres within and outside walled city
RELIGIOUS CENTRES
S.No. Inside Walled City Outside walled city
1 11th Rudh Shivala Mandir Adventist Church
2 Arya Samaj Mandir Arya Samaj Mandir
3 Baba Deep Singh Baba Bairag Dass Dera
4 Babalal Ji Mandir Baba Deep Singh Ji Hospital
5 Banke Bihari Mandir Baba Garib Dass Mandir
6 Bhai Sallo Ji Gurudwara Baba Veer Singh Gurudwara
7 Bhairav Nath Mandir Bhai Karam Singh Ji Shaheed Gurudwara
8 Bholi Mata Mandir Bible Church Of God
9 Bibeksar Bijli Pahalwan Mandir
10 Chaman Temple Christ Church Cathedral
11 Chintpurni Mandir Darbar Veer Shah
12 Dargah Baba Rehmat Shah Ji Dargah Baba Nat Peer Pahalwan Shah Ji
13 Dera Baba Mishra Singh Ji Dargah Hazrat Baba Peer Ji
14 Durga Mandir Dargah Peer Baba Hussain Pura
15 Ganesh Das Mandir Dargah Sarif Imamuddin Chishti
16 Ganga Ji Mandir Dera Shaheed Baba Baghel Singh Ji
17 Golden Temple Durga Devi Temple
18 Guru Nanak Dev Gurudwara Durgiana Temple
19 Guru Ram Rahim Mandir Dwarkadhish Mandir
20 Guru Ravidas Mandir Gol Gurudwara

21 Gurudwara Baba Bhouri Wala Guga Veer Mandir
Gurudwara Amar Shaheed Baba Sangat Singh

22 Gurudwara Baikunth Dham
Ji
23 Gurudwara Kila Shri Lohgarh Sahib Gurudwara Anand Nagar
24 Gurudwara Mata Harnam Kaur Gurudwara Baba Jiwan Singh Ji
25 Gurudwara Sahib Gurudwara Baba Kuma Singh Ji
26 Gurudwara Santosh Singh Gurudwara Baba Phoola Singh Ji
27 Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara Baba Vadbhag Singh Ji
28 Gurudwara Singh Sabha Gurudwara Chief Khalsa Diwan
29 Gurudwara Sobha Singh Gurudwara Guru Nanak Singh Sabha
30 Hanuman Mandir Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha
31 Holy Church Of God Gurudwara Kalgidhar Patshahi Daswi
32 Kashmiri Masjid Gurudwara Kalgidhar Sad Sangat
33 Kaulsar Gurudwara Kalgidhar Sahib
34 Krishna Mandir Gurudwara Kartar Satsang
35 Lakh Data Dargah Gurudwara Miri Piri Sahib
36 Laxmi Narayan Mandir Gurudwara Shabeel Baba Swaye Singh
37 Luv Kush Valmiki Mandir Gurudwara Shaheed Baba Baghel Singh Ji
38 Maha Kali Mandir Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib
39 Mahant Tara Singh Dera Gurudwara Shri Dashmesh Darshan
40 Mahavir Ji Mandir Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Sahib
41 Mandir Baba Purshottam Dass Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha
42 Mandir Mata Brajeshwari Devi Gurudwara Shri Ravidas Ji Maharaj
43 Mandir Shri Kali Mata Ji Gurudwara Singh Sahai
44 Mola Sahab Masjid Gurudwara Sunder Nagar
45 Nath Temple Gurudwara Tabowan Sahib
46 Peer Baba Dargah Gurudwara Tehsil Pura

47 Peer Baba Rehmat Shah Wali Ji Gurudwara Toot Sahib
48 Prachin Mandir Jai Khawaja Peer Hanuman Mandir
49 Prachin Shiv Mandir Jai Mahamai Mandir
50 Prachin Shivala & Mata Mandir Jain Temple
51 Prachin Shri Bhairav Nath Mandir Janta Mandir & Shani Mandir
52 Radha Damodar Mandir Jatia Maha Sabha Mandir
53 Radha Govind Mandir Kali Mata Mandir
54 Radha Swami Satsang Kirpal Ruhani Satsang
55 Radha Vallabh Mandir Lakh Data Peer Baba
56 Raghunath Ji Mandir Laxmi Narayan Mandir
57 Raghunath Mandir Maa Durga Temple
58 Ram Mandir Maha Kaleshwar Mandir
59 Ramsar Mahadev Mandir
60 Ravidas Mandir Mandir Shri Goga Peer Ji
61 Razza Masjid Murli Manohar Mandir
62 Saheb Gurudwara Noor Masjid
63 Sai Mandir Parshuram Mandir
64 Sanatan Dharm Mandir Peer Baba Dargah
65 Santoksar Peer Ghous Pak Ji
66 Sat Kartar Dera Police Chowki Durgiana Mandir
67 Satsang Gurudwara Prachin Hanuman Mandir
68 Satyayan Temple Prachin Shri Bhairav Nath Ji Mandir
69 Sawal Dham Pujya Mata Lal Devi Ji Temple
70 Shani Mandir Radha Damondar Nath Temple
71 Shiv Shankar Mandir Radha Krishna Mandir
72 Shiv Temple Radha Soami Satsang Bhawan
73 Shivala Veer Bhan Mandir Raghunath Temple

74 Shivalaya Gangaram Ram Dham Mandir
75 Shivalaya Gangaram Ram Mandir
76 Shri Harimandir Ram Talai Mandir
77 Shri Prannath Ji Mandir Rehmat Peera Di
78 Shyam Singh Gurudwara Sai Mandir
79 Sideshwari Mandir Sai Temple
80 Sri Radha Krishna Mandir Sangat Gurudwara
81 Sri Raghunath Ji Mandir Sant Nirankari Satsang Bhawan
82 Surdwan Sri Guru Nanak Sabha Shaheed Bhagat Singh Ji Gurudwara
83 Thakur Dwara Lalit Kishore Ji Temple Shani Dev Mandir
84 Valmiki Mandir Shiv Shakti Mandir
85 Shiv Temple
86 Shivala Bhayian Mandir
87 Shivala Mandir
88 Shri Banke Bihari Lal Temple
89 Shri Durga Mandir
90 Shri Ram Mandir
Shri Ram Sahaimal Bagichi & Mandir Thakur

91
Dwara
92 Shri Sanatan Dharm Mahavir Dal Mandir
93 Shri Sanatan Dharm Mandir
94 Shri Tirupati Bala Ji Mandir
95 Siromani Mandir
96 St. Paul's Church
97 Vaishno Devi Temple

Table 2: Significant historic structures and traditional markets within and outside walled city
HISTORIC STRUCTURES
S.No. Inside Walled City Outside walled city
1 Qila Ahluwalia Bibi Dhanwant Kaur Dharamshala
2 Akal Takth Durgiana Temple
3 Akalian da Bagh Gobindgarh Fort
4 Amar Jyoti Guru Teg Bahadur
5 Baba Atal rai Gurudwara Hospital
6 Baba Deep Singh Kshetriya Shree Gandhi Ashram
7 Balanand Akhara Maharaja Ranjit Singh Statue
8 Bazaar Beliraam Mahatma Gandhi Statue
9 Bazaar Chil Mandi MCA Water Tank
10 Bazaar Dulo Namdhari Shaheed Smarak
11 Bazaar Jallianwala Bagh Preet Nagar
12 Bazaar Lakar Singh Ram Bagh Complex
13 Bazaar Mahan Singh Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji Niwas
14 Bazaar Mai Sewan Victory Tower
15 Bazaar Misri
16 Bazaar Munaria
17 Bazaar Papran
18 Bazaar Pashamwala
19 Bazaar Ram Garhia
20 Bazar Bhagatawala
21 Bazar Natanwala
22 Beri Gate
23 Bhagtan Gate
24 Bibeksar

25 Bramhabuta Akhara
26 Bunga
27 Chattiwind Gate
28 Chitta Akhara
29 Chowrasti Attari
30 Community Dharamshala
31 Dal Mandi
32 Darshani Deori
33 Dharamshala
34 Gilwali Gate
35 Guru Bazaar
36 Guru ka Mahal
37 Hakima Gate
38 Hall bazaar
39 Jalebiwala Chowk
40 Jallianwala Bagh
41 Katra Ahluwalia
42 Katra Jaimal Singh
43 Katra Karam Singh
44 Kaulsar
45 Khazana Gate
46 Kucha Guru ka Bagh
47 Lahori Gate
48 Lohgarh Gate
49 Mahansingh Gate
50 Mardeys Well
51 Prajapati Dharamshala

52 Quila Bhangia
53 Rambagh Gate
54 Ramgarhia Bazar
55 Ramsar
56 Saheb Gurudwara
57 Sant Singh Bazaar
58 Santoksar
59 Saragarhi Memorial
60 Shatirian Bazaar
61 Sherawala Gate
62 Shri Harimandir
63 Shri Satguru Ashram
64 Sultanwind Gate
65 Town Hall
66 Water Tank
Table 3: Significant historic structures and traditional markets within and outside walled city
S.No. GATEWAYS
1 Lahori Gate
2 Lohgarh Gate
3 Khazana Gate
4 Beri Gate
5 Hatti Gate
6 Hall Gate
7 Rambagh Gate
8 Hakima Gate
9 Sultanwind Gate

10 Ahluwalia
11 Mahansingh Gate
12 Sherawala Gate
13 Gilwali Gate
14 Bhagtan Gate
15 Chattiwind Gate
16 Ramgarhia
Figure 3-4: Tourist attractions in Amritsar City. (Amritsar integrated tourism development and destination marketing plan, 2014)
There is an effort to upgrade the facilities around historic sites, as is visible by the tourist centre plaza that is
near completion (to include visitor interpretation centre, information office, public conveniences, a VIP block
and security services). Bids have been advertised for upgradation of the buildings, roads and other
infrastructure facilities and standardisation of signage for central nodal points of the walled city that are
currently integrated within the Amritsar City Heritage Walk, like Jallebiwalla Chowk. Currently there are four
tourist information centres in and around Amritsar – Golden Temple, Railway Station, Airport, Attari Border.
The Amritsar Police has set up Community Police Resource Centres around the city with outreach centres at
police stations.
3.2.3 Existing Museums in the City
Figure 3-5: Existing Museums and proposed museums & cultural galleries in the city
Assessment of the Health of Existing Museums (existing tangible assests and potential sites for interpretation
and cultural activities)
Documentary Background Opportunities

Heritage
Central Sikh The museum was established in the year It has potential for supporting museums and
Museum, Golden 1958 within the complex of the Golden other cultural institutions in building a
Temple (1958) Temple in Amritsar. It falls under the comprehensive military narrative on Punjab and
jurisdiction of Shiromani Gurudwara in particular Amritsar as well as help piece
Prabhandak Committee. together the collective history
This museum tells the story of Sikh

martyred during combat in Punjab’s history.
It houses collections of paintings depicting
events related to the life of the ten Sikh
Gurus. Other objects include miniature

paintings, arms and armour, coins, Indian

Army gallantry medals, musical instruments,
portraits of artists who made the paintings,
of former Maharajas from the Punjab and
dignitaries associated with Sikhism. The
museum also showcases 60 to 70 silver poles
that were used to install tents on the
causeway to Shri Harmandir Sahib during
Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign.
Sikh Reference The ShiromaniGurudwaraPrabhandak It has potential for supporting museums and
Library, Golden Committee established the Sikh Reference other cultural institutions in building a
Temple (1946) Library in 1946. The library is a repository comprehensive narrative on Sikh Gurus and
of over 1,500 rare manuscripts and includes Sikhism
general manuscripts (627), Guru Granth
Sahibs (450), Sri Dasam Grants (Guru Gobind
Singh’s Bani-52) etc. The manuscripts are in
the process of being digitized by the Punjab
Digital Library.
Rambagh Once a summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit The proposal for upgrading the Maharaja Ranjit
(Summer) Palace Singh (1780-1839), situated inside Rambagh Singh Museum seeks to create, through modern
(1977) Garden, is built on the model of Shalimar museum management techniques, a complete
gardens encompassing rare coniferous trees, social experience encapsulating the rich and
herbal plants, water channels. Its name was variegated legacy of that period. The aim of the
given by Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a tribute proposed project is to establish the Maharaja
to Fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, the Ranjit Singh Museum as a hub of tourist
founder of Amritsar City. After activities in Amritsar and a key destination for
independence the Summer Palace was cultural tourism in Punjab. To tell the story of
converted into the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab’s royal heritage and the cultural
Museum. It was inaugurated in 1977 by the influences that it carried into modern India,
Vice-President of India, Dr.HidayatUllah. using the medium of exhibits in an engaging,
The Maharaja Ranjit Singh museum, lively and cogent presentation. To attract
provides vignettes of the rich and variegated diverse groups of visitors from the local
history of Punjab, revolving around the life population, with greater interest and
and times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The participation in the Museum’s activities. To
Museum’s displays also provide a glimpse of create spaces and facilities that is both
the persona of this brave and fearsome ruler, aesthetically pleasing and effective in preserving
who was at the same time deeply religious, and interpreting the Museum’s collections for
kind-hearted, generous, secular and just. visitors. To integrate the Museum’s collections
The collections largely comprise of under a common theme, linked by a narrative
paintings, weaponry, manuscripts and coins. thread. To upgrade and modernise visitor
The Summer Palace and the entire Ram facilities, specifically designed for the needs of
Bagh complex are presently undergoing discerning tourists and visitors and enhancing
conservation and revitalisation work as part the experience of the Museum tour. To set up a
of the Integrated Development of sustainable museum management and
Destination Amritsar Project of the promotion plan for maintenance of the displays
Department of Tourism, Punjab and public spaces, and to undertake regular
Government. Currently, the Museum is promotional and revenue generation activities.
closed for the public. The entire collection
has been removed from the premises and is The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum has an
placed in storage. invaluable collection of artefacts that recount
Sikh history and offer a slice of life during the
rule of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is a rare and
tangible edifice handed down to us by history
for future generations to learn from. The

Museum can build a panoramic experience of
one of the most glorious eras in the history of
Punjab and of India. Through narrative links,
the Museum displays and artefacts can create
the imagery of 19th and 20th century Punjab,
built through the merging of many philosophies,
an amalgamation of conquests and alliances of
debate and dialogue, a legacy of cultural and
aesthetic values, religious tolerance and political
acumen.
Maharaja Ranjit Located in the northwest corner of Ram It has potential for supporting the Summer
Singh Panorama Bagh complex, this museum is dedicated to Palace museum in recreating the historical
Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the ‘Lion of Punjab’ narrative of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. However,
(1780–1839), who founded the Sikh empire, based on the thematic narrative of the Summer
wresting large areas of northwest India from Palace Museum, it must be borne in mind that
the Mughals. A vast diorama depicts the the Panorama should supplement the former
maharaja’s greatest battles. The museum creating its own USP, rather than being a
houses collections, largely replica of repetition.
historical artefacts like the throne,
manuscripts and their prints, weaponry etc.
Currently most of the technology related
exhibits are dysfunctional and the display is
far from educative and immersive. The
museum is proposed to be renovated.
Gobindgarh Fort The historic Gobindgarh Fort is one of the After taking control of the Gobindgarh Fort,
most striking edifices in Amritsar. It is the government of Punjab in cooperation with
located outside the walled city, on the north other organisations has initiated a project to
western side, adjacent to the military station. restore the fort, bring back its essence to the
The Grand Trunk Road lies on the northern largest possible extent. The conservation,
side of the fort. Gobindgarh Fort is an adaptive reuse & management plan for
important component of the narrative of Gobindgarh Fort aims at a sustainable future for
Sikh history and cultural traditions. It is the historic, architectural, cultural, social and
steeped in a historical and spiritual context economic values of the fort precinct and its
that represents the values integral to the Sikh setting and the relationship between the two.
faith and philosophy. Revival and reinforcement in the public
memory the intangible values of the fort. The
Built in 1760, it was called Bhangian Da Kila project features include:
(Fort of the Bhangis, one of the 12 Sikh ●Conservation & reuse Works,
misls), and it remained with the Bhangi ●Landscaping & environmental
rulers till 1805, a few years after the death of improvements,
Gujjar Singh and the decline of the Bhangi ●Tourism/Visitor/Pilgrim infrastructure
rule. Later, it was re-built by Maharaja Ranjit development,
Singh who took over and renamed it ●access improvement ,
Gobindgarh, after the ●Promotion & Outreach,
10th Sikh guru GuruGobind Singh. The fort ●Interpretation Facilities, etc.
was envisaged to defend the sacred city of Three museums on arms and armour, Sikh
Amritsar and Sri Harimandir Sahib (the history, and peace and reconciliation are being
Golden Temple). It was occupied by the proposed for Gobindgarh Fort. The powerful
British after the Anglo-Sikh Wars in 1849, narratives of the military history within a site
and later by the Indian Army, who that saw a series of such events unfolding in
controlled it from the time of Independence front of its eyes is a rare opportunity which
until 2006. should be utilised in creating powerful and
comprehensive site interpretations within its

The fort housed Gen Dyer during the strategy.
British Raj who got an execution house The proposed centre on ‘Peace and
constructed in front of his bungalow and Reconciliation’ can support in building a
witnessed execution of prisoners from his positive narrative to the often gruesome past of
house. This execution house, called attacks and persecution, which is imperative for
PhansiGhar still stands amidst other delivering a powerful social message.
structures including the toshkhana, Durbar The diverse range of activities proposed would
hall, army memorial and tennis court. not only build an entertaining value add to the
city, but also through powerful narratives create
a space for social messaging and sensitization
among the audiences.
JalianwalaBagh JalianwalaBagh was established in 1960 and Potential of building a powerful narrative on the
Memorial, comes under the jurisdiction of the sufferings and loss of the people of Amritsar
Amritsar (1960) JalianwalaBagh National Trust. and build a strong narrative of peace and
reconciliation though emotive and contextual
The complex was the site of the massacre of mediums of display and interpretation of the
innocent Indian’s at the hands of British site.
troops led by General Dyer who on April
13, 1919 ordered the shooting of people The sound and light show needs to be made
who had peacefully assembled for a meeting functional and upgraded in terms of technology
at JallianwalaBagh. The complex has now and content to be able to not only highlight
been converted into a memorial park. upon the senseless and gruesome massacre, but
The two art galleries (currently only one also to stitch together the people’s story of
functioning) have paintings of freedom Amritsar, of the suffering and loss encountered
fighters and graphically narrate the incident. through history, but still having managed to
Newspaper prints and documents related to keep spirit of resilience alive.
the event have also been displayed. The
complex shows bullet ridden holes on its The approach area should be made congestion
walls and the well into which the people free and contextually inviting.
jumped to save their lives still exists on site.
Sensitisation of the audience of the sombre past
The entry to the complex is rather obscure needs to be build into the site interpretation
with rampant sound, visual and noise strategy, rather than the site being treated as a
pollution. The potential of the site to be ‘attractive tourist spot’ for entertainment and
used as a powerful narrative has not been ‘photo-op’ sessions.
explored; as it does not invoke an emotive
response to the setting created, with abstract
information put together (gallery, well,
bullet ridden walls, Amar Jyot, central
memorial). The site also lacks powerful
informative narrative on the incident that
has gone down in history as one of the worst
massacres of innocent lives.
The sound and light show too is not

functional since a year
Bhai Guru Das The library was founded in 1969 to It has potential for supporting museums and
Central Library, commemorate the 500th birth anniversary other cultural institutions in building a
Guru Nanak of Guru Nanak. It is named after the great comprehensive narrative on Sikh and Punjab
DevUniversity Sikh scholar Bhai Gurdas who took history
(1969) dictation from the 5th Guru, Guru
ArjanDev and compiled the AdiGranth
sahib, the Holy Scripture of the Sikh
community. The Bhai Gurdas Library

comes under the jurisdiction of Guru Nanak
Dev University. Prof.Pritam Singh, a scholar
of the university, has donated manuscripts
to this library. The Library is a treasure trove
of approximately 1516 priceless
manuscripts.
Bhai Veer Singh Bhai Vir Singh NiwasAsthan at 60, It has potential for supporting museums and
Museum and Lawrence Road, Amritsar, which has since other cultural institutions in building a
Library been renamed as Bhai Vir Singh Marg, has comprehensive narrative on Sikh and Punjab
been converted into a Museum-cum- history, including material on literary
Library. The library has a rich collection of personalities
over 40,000 titles including encyclopaedias,
biographies, books, manuscripts on the
history and culture of Punjab, old
photographs connected with life and times
of Bhai Vir Singh and some of his early
writings. On a request to the Department of
Culture, Government of India, Sadan has
been given a grant of Rs.12 lakhs to re-
organise and modernise the Museum and
display of personal relics of Bhai Vir Singh
and first edition of his works in
proper display condition.
Khalsa College The museum and library houses rare and The museum hosts exclusive collections of a
library and exclusive collections depicting various range of historical artefacts, manuscripts,
museum episodes in the SikhHistory. It has a photographs and books that represent the
collection of 375 painting, 601 manuscripts, historical narrative of the history of Punjab and
newspapers from 1904, 675 filesbooks and Amritsar
Journals. Of these Manuscripts, 261 are The collection of exclusive photographs of
in Persian & Urdu, 207 rare manuscripts in women who sacrificed their lives during the
Punjabi. The manuscripts include 1947 riots to save their honour, is a rare
‘PothiMehrban’, ‘JanamSakhi of Guru treasure that supports gender studies and
Nanak DevJi’ by Mehrban (1651) and representation in historical narrative
copied in 1928. It has potential for supporting museums and
Out of approximately 6397 books, more other cultural institutions in building a
than 500 are a century old. About 500 comprehensive narrative on the collective
painting, photographs, weapons of 17th and history of Punjab
18th century are also housed in the museum.
Among the
exclusive photographs, there are those of
women who
sacrificed their lives during the 1947
riots to save
their honourand also pictures of skulls,
alpine valley of old Punjab,
Nanakana Sahib tragedy, Ragmalapainting,
Sikh rules and old doors of Golden Temple.
Apart from this old ‘birs’ of GuruGranth
Sahib are also present. The old and rare
weapons and coins are amongthe other
treasures in this museum.

3.3 Intangible Heritage
The UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) defines intangible cultural
heritage as the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills – including the instruments, objects,
artefacts and cultural spaces associated with them – that communities, groups and individuals recognize as part of their
cultural heritage. Intangible cultural heritage - transmitted from generation to generation and constantly recreated -
provides communities a sense of identity and continuity. Intangible Cultural Heritage takes many forms and may belong
to one or more of the following domains:
 Oral traditions and expressions including language

 Performing arts
 Social practices, rituals and festivals
 Knowledge and practice about nature and the universe
 Traditional Craftsmanship.
Amritsar, the most important city of the Majha region of Punjab, on the east bank of the Beas River, is a repository of
intangible folk culture of Punjab – songs, dances, musical instruments, theatre, tales and verses, painting, crafts, games
and festivals. The historical development of such a varied and rich heritage owes to the fact that Amritsar due to its
locational positioning, has been a land which has been at the cross roads of ideas, languages and rituals from varying
cultural influences. The folk cultures practised in and around Amritsar can be loosely categorised, though it may also
overlap more than they diverge, into: folk cultural modes (kinship patterns, class relationships, sports, fairs and festivals,
beliefs, values, and ideologies), arts (folk dance, decorative clay pottery, wall paintings, crafts), rituals, and oral expression
(folk narratives (myths/legends/tales), idioms and proverbs, folk songs (lok geet)).
Figure 3-6 Spread of ICH Practitioners of oral traditions and performing arts in Punjab. (CRCI)
The reality of Amritsar, has, however, become noticeable over the loss, disappearance or invisibility of certain art and
craft forms because many of the practitioners went to Pakistan. However, through generations, communities have
managed to keep alive most of the unique elements of the folk forms amidst rising threats posed by rapid urbanisation,
globalisation, displacement, migration and so on.
Interestingly, Punjabi folk song has national and international demand. A large Punjabi diaspora across the globe
especially in countries like Canada, UK, USA, Australia and South East Asia provide opportunities to large number of
artists. Dhadhi singers perform at the Gurdwaras of these countries for a span of six months earning about Rs. 3-4 Lacs.
Lokgeet artists are regularly called by Punjabis and cultural organisations formed in these countries. Punjabi film industry
also has needs for large number of artists. Internet based radio stations have provided new opportunity to Raagis and
Dhadhis. New innovations like Folk orchestra presenting folk instruments of Punjab, has gained popularity in the recent
years Folk instruments are used by the dancers, folk singers and professional entertainers. Dhol, dholki, chimta, cymbals,
tumbi, bughdhu, been, algoza, mattian, daph, sarangi, gagar, khartaal and dhad are popular instruments which
accompany one or the other form of folk songs of Punjab. Dholi players form a separate community who exclusively
play the instrument called Dhol. This is their primary, and sometimes, only, profession. They play at various dargahs,
festivals, fairs and local celebrations like marriages and childbirth.
The following table provides a summary of the oral expressions, art forms and folk cultural modes of Amritsar:
Table 3-1 ICH Assets of oral expressions, art forms and folk cultural modes in Amritsar
Category Type Element
Ballads & Songs (Oral Lok Geet Suhag, Ghorhian, Bolian, Tappe,
Expressions) Sithnian, Chhand, Heara, Lorian,
Tumbe-Algoze ki gayek, Bazigar songs
Devotional Songs Dhadhi, Gurshabad Kirtan
Ballads Kavishri, Kissa
Folk Dance Male Dance Bhangra, Jhummar, Nachar, Luddi
Female Dance Sammi, Giddha
Folk Instruments Percussion Dhol, Dholki, Dhadd, Chimta, Sap
Wind Instruments Algoza, Been
String Instruments Tumbi, Tumba, Rabab, Sarangi,
Dhadd Sarangi, Sarinda, Iktara
Folk Theatre Folk Theatre Naqal Shaili, Bhand
Traditional Sports Combat Sports Gatka, Pahalwani Kushtee (wrestling)
Festivals Religious Holi, Dusshera, Ram Navami,
Janmashtami, Diwali, Ram Tirath,
Gurupurab, Kukka
Seasonal Baisakhi, Lohri, Maghi, Basant
Panchami
Local Masya, Sangranth
Source: CRCI

The following table and map provides an overview of the rich repertoire of traditional craft forms of Punjab and spread
of practitioners:
Table 3-2 ICH assets of traditional craft forms in Amritsar
Craft category Craft type
Needlework Phulkari, Bagh, Tilla Jutti
Metalwork Thatera, Sikligar, Judau
Woodwork Chess, Wood and Lac turnery
Clay work Pottery and Terracotta
Weaving Durrie, Galeecha, Woolen Handloom
Accessories Paranda, Nada/Nala
Natural Fibre Straw and Bamboo
Figure 3-7 Spread of ICH Practitioners of traditional crafts in Punjab. (CRCI)
Amritsar is almost always in a joyous and celebrative mood. There is Bhangra-Giddha and lavish food and fineries for
all occasions, be it Lohri, Baisakhi, Holi, Diwali, the reverend Guruparabs. There are several cultural events resounding
with the rhythms and beats of Punjab‘s folk songs and dance. Besides this, sports festivals like Hola Mohalla are held
annually. Amritsar has also hosted heritage festivals for the past few years. Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion
Board organises several festivals promoting the monuments, lifestyle and cultural traditions of Punjab like the
International Sufi Music festival at Amritsar, Bhangra Festival in built heritage sites.

3.3.1 Challenges
Folk Songs
- Though the folk songs are widely popular, an unfortunate ground reality is loss of tradition. While patronage
by the religious institutions like SGPC and Taktsals has partly safeguarded devotional traditions like Dhadhi,
Gurshabad Kirtan or Kavishri, other traditions are dying in absence of any facilitation for learning and practice.
- The traditional folk artists have pointed out the importance of revitalizing the learning mechanism - schools
for taleem of the younger generation to safeguard the folk traditions. Qawwals and Raagis, for example, pointed
out the need for support for training as many could not afford to pay fees. Training sessions and workshops
need to be organized on a regular basis to encourage youngsters and enthusiasts to learn the musical traditions.
- While urban singers are popular, the rural counterparts get dwindling opportunity. The youth from traditional
practitioner communities are no longer interested to learn and pursue owing to lack of recognition, respect and
dwindling opportunity to perform.
- The influence of western culture has affected the demand for traditional songs and music in social ceremonies
negatively. There is less invitation to sing in marriage ceremonies. Even for devotional traditions which enjoy
some patronage from the SGPC and Gurdwaras, the Raagis and Kavishers mentioned that there is no broad
base of audience outside the religious circle who take any active interest in the art form. Urbanised festivities
leave little or no place for traditional arts.
- With the end of Jalsas, traditional artists hardly have the opportunity to interact amongst themselves about their
art form. Local festivals and social ceremonies used to be the main source of sustenance for the rural and
traditional artists. Melas and fairs organised by local people and number of artists coming to perform have
dwindled over the years.
- Regulations on public performances have also created challenges, as for example, the Dholis have lost market
as they are now barred from performing in hotels.
- Payment received from performances in local functions and ceremonies is meagre.
- The making and playing of musical instruments is critically endangered owing to lack of masters and makers of
instruments.

Figure 3-8 Traditional folk song practitioners of Amritsar. (CRCI)
Folk Dance
- Owing to the high demand, plethora of town based cultural organisations train young people to cater to this
demand. However, unfortunately in absence of involvement of the traditional exponents, despite large number
of young dancers, the fine nuances of traditional dance forms are getting obliterated.
- There are few masters who can teach the young, the finer nuances of dances like Sammi.
- Many opine that while the youth festivals have contributed to popularity, focus on choreography and short
presentations have led to loss of authenticity.
Figure 3-9 Traditional folk dance practitioners of Amritsar. (CRCI)

Folk Theatre
- Competition with modern entertainment channels and lack of respect and recognition are factors leading to
loss of traditional folk theatre forms like Naqal Shaili and Bhand.
- The artists mostly belong to the Mirasi community and, post-independence, most of the artists practising such
tradition have migrated to Pakistan. Thus the extent of such performances has also lessened after the partition
of Punjab.
- The Mirasis used to perform mainly on wedding and other festive occasions. With the development of ‘concept
weddings’ at resorts scope for performance has also lessened. Presently, NZCC provides opportunity to the
artists to perform but it is not enough for sustenance of the artists. Thus, inventing avenues of generating more
number of performances is important.
Craft and Painting

- Skills like intricate Phulkari or Bagh work like Thirma, Bawan Bagh, Chope, Surajmukhi, Meenakari/Ikka Bagh
etc., skilled metal work by Sikligars like Bari kirpans, Kandiyala Gola, Khanda, Nagpatta and metal engraving
work on swords are getting lost owing to poor payment and absence of system for skill transfer and learning.
- With changes in lifestyle, traditions like Nada, Paranda have low demand.
- Craft traditions like utensil making by Thateras, weaponry by Sikligars, Durrie and Galeecha making, Nada
making and even the much acclaimed Phulkari and Tilla embroideries are languishing owing to competition
from mass produced machine made products. Availability of low cost machine embroidered apparel or machine
made rugs and spreads have led to loss of traditions like weaving durries for wedding trousseau.
- Women making Phulkari and Tilla embroidered products are largely dependent on brokers and middlemen
who distribute raw materials and monopolize the finished products while the producers are paid poorly in wage
basis.
- Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation Limited (PSIEC) owns a chain of emporia called Phulkari at
Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Chandigarh, Delhi and Kolkata. But the producers are not much
benefitted as the products are kept in consignment basis and artisans are paid after the products are sold. A
common threat to the thriving traditions like phulkari and tilla embroidery, metal craft and weaponry making
is the competition from machine made low cost products.
- Various forms of casting, soldering, and decoration techniques such as repousse, pierced work, chasing,
engraving, etc are used by the artisans to develop various metal doors and also develop hand crafted wood
work on doors and windows. Such traditional works on doors and windows are on the verge of dying due to
lack of master craftsmen and artisans.
- Mural paintings and frescos do not exist anymore. Even the paintings which are found in Harmandir Sahib are
also slowly fading out.
- A large number of crafts persons are working as wage labourers and do not have direct market contact.
- Crafts persons are also poorly paid and are thus stopping production. Youths in craft making communities like
Sikligar and Thateras are not pursuing their traditions owing to lack of recognition, income and support.

- Access to raw material is an issue for crafts like chess making and Jutti making.
- Lack of working space is a problem for crafts persons making Jutti, Jadau jewellery, Paranda, Nada etc.
- Crafts persons making chess, brass utensils, wooden craft and even weaponry (Kripan) mentioned health
hazards suffered by them.
- Implementation of Government schemes for promoting craft enterprise is weak. At present there are 19
clusters supported by the KVIC and DC(H). The crafts persons in these clusters make embroidered products,
handloom products, Tilla Jutti and wood inlay products. They have artisan cards and participate in various
exhibitions and fairs. However the opportunities provided are inadequate for a developing a thriving sector.
- Schemes supporting export of handicrafts benefits the traders and retailers rather than the producers
Figure 3-10 Traditional arts and crafts of Amritsar
Institutional mechanisms of safeguarding ICH

- There are isolated initiatives by various universities and colleges to create awareness on tradition among the
youth.
- Overloaded school curriculum is a challenge for including heritage education in formal education system.
- There is lack of knowledge exchange and promoting participatory programs among academic institutions,
museums and libraries for promoting heritage education.

- Amritsar has no museum devoted to the arts and crafts and intangible heritage of Amritsar. The collections of
folk instruments and fine traditions of weaponry in various museums have no supporting/illustrative
documentation.
- While foreign universities have online journals of Punjabi art and culture, there are no comprehensive initiatives
or programmes for using digital technologies, for audio visual as well as textual documentation and
dissemination.
Development of Cultural Industries

- The clusters formed under schemes of the Central Government are largely driven by the NGOs supporting
them. The ICH practitioners and bearers need capacity building for becoming self reliant community
enterprises.
- There is lack of community based institutions formed with artists or crafts persons. There is no association of
performing artists. Severe competition in the dwindling market thwarts scope for collective endeavour by the
artists.
- Access to finance is a challenge as traditional financing mechanisms are not open to cultural asset based
industries. The banks and other financers need to be informed and educated of the new business model offered
by the sector. At present many skills and professions related to heritage based cultural industries are not
recognized as business categories and thus the producers do not have access to credit facilities to build necessary
stock etc.
- Though the Department of Industries and Commerce have adopted policies related to tourism, textile and
handicraft sector encourages PPP mode of development, there is no information on implementation on ground
for these sectors.
- Implementation of National Rural Livelihood Mission is in nascent stage and there is currently no on-ground
effort for developing community based institutional mechanisms. Though tourism development plans mention
community based tourism, initiatives are not yet on ground.
Marketing & Promotion

- NZCC, the Department of Public Relations, PHTPB patronises folk singers and dancers as part of various
celebrations and events attended by the Chief Minister. In absence of any system of directory or database, only
a few artists get patronized while others are forced to give up their art. There is no system to ensure non
repetition of favoured artists for successive programmes or encouragement of new artists for registration. Thus
only a few artists get patronized while others are forced to give up their art.
- District Heritage societies used to organise festivals at Amritsar among other cities but at present most of the
societies are non functional. The Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board supports several festivals like
the Sufi Festival at Amritsar, Virsa Festivals promoting the monuments, lifestyle and cultural traditions of
Punjab. It also facilitates participation of performing artists and crafts persons in fairs. However, many such
festivals focus on professional performers and commercial genres rather than the essential “grass-roots” nature
of ICH.

- Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) under Government of Punjab facilitates sale of
handicraft products through their Phulkari show rooms. There are also district level show rooms for sale of
SHG products. However norms like procurement in consignment basis, slow movement and loss or damage
of products deter the producers to avail of these avenues.
Inventorying
- The absence of comprehensive database or directory on the artists and cultural practitioners limits access to
opportunity and entitlements for both artists and crafts persons. Creative artistic skills of a large part of
population thus remain untapped in absence of a database on talents. Lack of data and information on the
geographical spread of folk artists, their number and their level of skills leads to lack of support and drawing
up of effective plans for revitalisation.
Documentation
- Though the universities like Khalsa College support religious studies, studies on Punjabi language and literature,
research on visual and performing art traditions of Punjab, access to documentation and studies on the cultural
expressions of Punjab remains a challenge.
Protection of Rights
- Though internet abounds with recordings of Punjabi folk songs and dance, the practitioners have reaped little
benefit. Plagiarism and cultural appropriation are common.
- Many traditional artists are also not aware of performing rights royalties.
3.3.2 Recommendations
If the communities are to continue to create, develop, and value their knowledge and skills, then their way of life has to
be sustained, over and above simply being documented. Also, the traditional bearers or communities are largely ignored.
Thus, while strategies for safeguarding ICH needs to address inventorying, recognition, celebration, sustenance through
heritage education and other means of transmission such as cultural performances, public recognition and celebration,
an enabling environment where viable communities continue to be the foundation of meaningful traditions need to be
fostered. This calls for a paradigm shift from current policies and interventions which have focused more on tangible
or built heritage and aesthetic and entertainment aspects of ICH. The potential of ICH as a means to foster social
cohesion, sustainable development and prevention of conflict needs to be utilised.
 To document ICH information and traditions for better provision of information, access and support to
practitioners through:
- Community led mapping exercise, integration in development planning and safeguarding programmes
- Linkage and networking of private and public stakeholders in learning, production and dissemination of
culture based products
- Resource Mapping
- Preservation of cultural memory and dissemination
- Preservation of ICH Collections
- Shared access to information
- Establishing standards
- protection of IPR of ICH bearers and practitioners
- Encouraging publication and research on ICH

 To promote awareness from local to international levels to create new audience and market through:
- Awareness raising and information programmes

- Celebration of ICH through events and festivals
- Participation of “grass root” traditional artists in national and international festivals
- Publication on ICH
- Developing partnerships and collaboration between a variety of types of collaborating institutions –cultural
institutions, academics, NGOs , local art agencies, development organizations, governmental agencies
- Creation of cultural spaces
 To facilitate and support the transmission and dissemination of traditional skills, knowledge and practices through:
- Investment in Skill Development

- Nurturing the ability to produce new realities on the basis of transmission
- Multicultural exchange and collaborations
- Heritage Education
- Empowering marginalised communities
 To use ICH in building cultural enterprise, and encouraging the responsible use of ICH traditions and practices in
a variety of economic development efforts through:
- Promoting enterprise building and entrepreneurship

- Strengthening linkage with support institutions
- Support needed to improve the workplace conditions
- Support for costumes, musical instruments and accessories for traditional ICH practitioners from poor and
deprived communities.
- Developing art and craft hubs
- Brand Creation
- Creation and strengthening cultural production and distribution capacities
- Effective marketing and retail mechanisms for grass root producers
- Strengthening Artist/Artisan Community based Institutions
 To recognize and encourage individuals, groups and communities who carry on ICH traditions by:
- Social recognition
- Award and incentives for traditional folk artists and craftsmen
3.4 Cultural Mapping: The Resounding Themes

A community’s sense of pride and appreciation of place must necessarily be grounded in the cultural roots and continuity
of the locality. Insensitive and decontextualized development in the name of progress robs a place of its cultural integrity
and the community its cultural connections. Regretfully, government planners and planning in Asia remain prone to
ignoring both cultural context and community, resulting in the creation of spaces, which are often inappropriate for
local cultural use. A more comprehensive, integrated, and cross-disciplinary approach to local and regional development
which encompasses the symbiotic relationship between culture, community and environment is presented as Cultural
Planning
Cultural planning is a sensitive and sustainable perspective on urban planning that responds to the culturally distinctive
assets and resources of a locality as well as to the local needs, aspirations and perceptions of a place. It encourages policy
makers to think strategically about applying the culturally distinctive resources of the locality to economic and urban
development. It is a place based approach that utilizes local resources, links local constituencies and interest groups, and
fulfils local needs. Its successful application requires a paradigm shift from the supremacy of bureaucratic decision-
making to a process of active participation by local players whose culture, culture creativity have been central to the
evolution of locality and human settlement within it.
Cultural planning, therefore, has to be based upon thorough knowledge of the cultural character and ecology of the
locality. This knowledge and understanding is acquired through Cultural Mapping of the site and community.
Cultural mapping is a systematic approach to recording and presenting information that provides an integrated picture
of the cultural character, significance and workings of the place. It employs specific tools and techniques to identify and
document the cultural assets and resources of an area, and assess their significance for integrated planning which will
retain the cultural integrity of the locality. 1
3.4.1 The Resounding Themes for Amritsar’s Cultural Mapping

Keeping the unique space of Amritsar in the history of humankind as a city with layered ‘sacred and socio political
geography’, the engagement of the heritage- both tangible and intangible, as a indicator for development and change
needs to be carefully envisioned. Themes depicted by heritage must capture the city’s sacred bearings, that has openly
embraced people from across religions and diverse cultural milieu evident from the practices of its people, architecture,
arts and crafts, musical and literary traditions. These need to be celebrated, while solemnly acknowledging the sobering
experiences of pain and loss, which forms a significant part of the fabric of the city’s complex history. It is this
meaningful engagement in celebration, acknowledgment, reconciliation and powerful mediation which needs to be the
language of the engagement with heritage. Identification of themes, which encapsulate this spirit within a
framework of cultural mapping establishing a synergy between the complexities and allows one to understand
inter-linkage between sites and position heritage as a powerful base point and enabler for informed positive
development for the city.
See Volume IV: Annexures for Comprehensive list of heritage sites along with themes represented by each.
1 Cultural Mapping _a guide to understanding place community and contiuity, Pilla Janet, SIRD, 2013

Taking this philosophy forward, the mapping of sites of Historical and Cultural Significance has been done based on 5
resounding themes.
Reverence:
Spiritual connection and sustainable living mooted within the cultural landscape of Amritsar
Revelation:
Unfolding the unique layers of urban fabric of Amritsar from its inception in the late 16th Century till contemporary
times
Resonance:
Celebration of cultural diversity and creativity of the people of Amritsar
Remembrance:
Remembrance of the grit, valour and tenacious spirit to fight against oppressors and acknowledgement of the sufferings
and loss of the people of the land
Reconciliation:
To heal the scars of the past and embrace the profoundness of Nanak’s teachings that places a value on ‘Universal
Brotherhood of Man’
These themes and their interpretation for proposals has been presented in detail in the HRIDAY Concept Plan for
the City Museum for Amritsar .
Chapter Four
Review of Existing
Initiatives
4.1. Review of Master Plan, CDPs,
4.2 Existing Acts and Policies
4.3. Organization Impacting Development of

City and Organizational Structure
4.4. Review of Proposed and Ongoing Projects

Review of Existing Initiatives
4 Review of Existing Initiatives

4.1 Review of Master Plans, CDP, Zonal Plans, Regional Plan
There are two main documents drawn out for Amritsar.
a. Master Plan for LPA Amritsar, 2010-2031, Punjab Govt Gazette Notification 2011
b. Comprehensive Mobility Plan, 2002,
Both reports have been reviewed and relevant sections on heritage, tourism and associated infrastructure development
have been discussed in this chapter. Discussion on the findings from this chapter are analysed and rationalized to
develop appropriate recommendations in Chapter 8 on Civic Infrastructure Development Plans.1
4.1.1 Master Plan for LPA Amritsar, 2010-2031, Punjab Govt Gazette notification 2011
Prepared by: SAI Consulting Engineers Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad.

Submitted to: Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (P.U.D.A)
Prepared under the legal provisions provided vide the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995
(amended 2006)
Scope/ Extents
The Master Plan has been prepared for the Local Planning Area (LPA) of Amritsar. This spans an area of 1394 square
kms, and comprises of 5 urban and 310 rural settlements, including Amritsar Municipal Corporation with a total
population 16, 60,466 persons. The projected population within L.P.A is 30, 17,936 and Municipal Area is 20, 12,213
people as per Masterplan.
The scope of HRIDAY is defined within the Municipal Area
Vision
According to section 9.6 of the Master Plan on Vision and Mission, the key objective of the Master Plan is to formulate
a long-term vision and strategy to make the L.P.A vibrant, livable and creditworthy. Besides rationalizing the land use
pattern, the Master Plan has also facilitated the identification of sectoral investments and reform areas needed to
transform the Local Planning Area Amritsar (LPA).
The master plan provides a backdrop to the existing scenario and an analysis of this contextualizes recommendations
made for Amritsar. It sets the precedent that considering the role and importance of the cities in economic regeneration
and launching nation on the path of rapid development, it becomes necessary that the urban centres be made liveable,
sustainable providers of employment, generators of wealth, ensures of high degree of quality of life and role model of
efficient deliverer of basic services. In order to provide an appropriate framework for the rational growth and to launch
1 See Chapter 8: Zone-wise Infrastructure Gap Assessment

the cities on fast track development, it becomes important to define the future pattern of the city growth and
development.
Sector Based Evaluation

Heritage & Tourism
Amritsar with its rich history of cultural heritage has immense potential to grow as a major tourist destination of the
region. Amritsar city is famous as a religious center due to the presence of Golden temple, Durgiana temple and many
other gurudwaras/temples/mosques, which makes it a center for religious tourism.
Other than this, city has a vast treasure of historical buildings, heritage structures/areas. Walled city itself is rich in
heritage. All these can generate potential for development of tourism, which has not been explored. It is said that about
1 lakh people visit Golden temple everyday. The walled city is the most important place in the history of Amritsar where
the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das constructed the sacred sarovar, what came to be known as the Amrit Sarovar and
the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev built Sri Harimandir Sahib (popularly known as the Golden temple).
The MPD has listed several important monuments and places of interest within the walled city and within the LPA.
Key Issues
Several key issues have been identified in the Mater Plan towards heritage management in the city. Extracts from Section
3.7 on this are below:
1. Lack of focus on preservation and conservation of heritage buildings

2. Lack of strategies for promoting tourism such as promoting famous eating joints, opening up of food streets, Bazaar Culture, etc.
to promote the Walled City as the role model of urban heritage.
3. Construction of buildings with modern architecture in and around heritage buildings is destroying the heritage character of the
area.
4. Absence of organized mode of travel connecting different tourist  sites/destinations within the city and in its surroundings.
5. Affordable tourist accommodation in the city leading to conversion of houses to make shift hotels during peak season.
6. Non-declaration of the Walled City as the Special Heritage Area is hampering the process to introduce some innovative and
urgently needed steps to be taken up like pedestrianisation, concept of group visiting, adequate financial help and tax incentives to
the owners of the heritage buildings, etc. Construction of buildings with modern architecture in and around heritage buildings is
destroying the heritage character of the area.
7. The location of jewellery shops using coal within the Walled City impacts the state of conservation of the Golden Temple and
other historic buildings. The district administration has taken steps to convert the surroundings of Golden Temple into smoke
free zone with the handing over of 86 new L.P.G connections to goldsmiths running their shops near to it. This strategy is
required to be implemented in all such shops.
8. Absence of organized mode of travel connecting different tourist sites/destinations within the city and in its surroundings.
9. Lack of public toilets and other civic amenities in the vicinity of majority of the tourist
10. Large-scale subdivision of buildings or open spaces within the Walled City to commercial uses.
11. Narrow approach road leading to Gobindgarh Fort from Bhandari Bridge is largely encroached upon by the shopkeeper that is
hindering the direct access to the temple.
12. Creating a new bridge instead of the age old Rigo Bridge is not capable enough to bear the traffic moving to Gobindgarh Fort and
the Durgiana Temple from Grand Trunk Road side. Heavy vehicles are also not allowed on this bridge. Hence, a new bridge
needs to be constructed to ease the situation.
13. Removal of slums present in the area around the Durgiana temple, especially along Shivpuri, which has been encroached and is
affecting the aesthetic environment of the area. Green belt is required to be developed by vacating the land from slums.

Recognition of (Tourism) Infrastructure linked to Heritage Assets

The Master Plan reports on the activities being undertaken by Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board as the
body associated with Department of Cultural Affairs and Archaeology and that of Department of Tourism in
undertaking several heritage conservation and infrastructure development projects for development of attractions for
tourists on one hand and provision of services on these sites on the other ( Given that the Master Plan was notified in
2010 several additional works have been undertaken in this sector in the last five years and others proposed to be
undertaken in the future. This listing is therefore incomplete in the Master Plan. This list has been updated in the City
HRIDAY Plan).
For facilitating and guiding the tourists, the department has created Tourist Information Centres at Amritsar Railway
Station, Wagha Border and Airport. It is reported that more than 50 personnels have been engaged by the department
as guide for visitors. Most of the tourist guides are said to be positioned at major centers of tourist influx including
Golden Temple, Bus Stand, Wagha Border, Railway Station, Air Port and Durgiana Temple. In addition, the Shiromani
Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC) also assists the pilgrims and tourists visiting the Golden Temple.2
Proposals by MPD for Protection of Heritage

With regards to heritage, the Master Plan displays keen attention towards the walled city and states that “to preserve the
existing rich heritage” which is represented in the “inherent strength and value of walled city as the symbol of physical,
social, economic and historical growth”, creation of Heritage and Tourism Zones has been proposed.
With regards to defining the walled city as a unique “Conservation and Tourism Area” in section 10.4, the master
plan identifies the following ongoing initiatives followed by recommendations:
1. Some strategies are de-congesting walled city by shifting of wholesale and bulk material market to identified planned area outside
Walled city near Bhagtanwala Gate/ along the major road and rail network.
2. To promote de-congestion by eliminating sub division of land-division and change of land use from residential to commercial and
others
3. To frame detail URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES for promoting and enhancing the quality of urban spaces which should
preserve, promote and enhance the religious, cultural and commercial ambience of walled city.
4. To minimize vehicular pollution- pedestrianization of walled city and promote electric based and other non-polluting mass
transportation system, also building special walkways on stretch from Chowk Phowara to Golden Temple.
5. To identify, create and develop available open spaces through proper landscaping.
This is further established in Chapter 11 which summarizes the needs of the Walled city in the following excerpt:
Keeping in view the special character of the walled city and its pattern of development, special regulations for the development of area falling
within walled city shall be formulated in order to ensure decongestion of population and decongestion of activities for creating more open spaces
and improving the quality of life by making available land for physical and social infrastructure. Strategies would also include pedestrianisation
of the congested area of walled city, minimizing change of land use, minimizing sub-division of land, preserving and enhancing the ambience
of buildings of historical, cultural and religious importance besides rationalizing the traffic and transportation.
The MPD has further demarcated a HERITAGE ZONE within the walled city. In order to achieve the objective, it is
proposed to declare area around Golden Temple, JallianwalaBagh, Town Hall, Gurudwara Shaheedan, Gurudwara
Ramsar Sahib and Gurudwara Santokhsar Sahib as the Heritage Zone. The Heritage Zone has been identified in the
map of walled city and comprises of areas enclosed by Guru Bazaar, Chaurasti Attari, Chowk Passian, Katra Jaimal
2
84 | City Hriday Plan -Amritsar
Singh, Katra Baghian, Bazaar Cheel Mandi, Bazaar Mahan Singh, Katra Mahan Singh, Bazaar Ghee Mandi, Abadi Bagh
Ramanand, Katra Himmat Singh, Chhauni Nihanga, Circular Road, Chatiwind Gate, Bazaar Chatiwind, Katra
Ramgarhian, Dhab Basti Ram, Namak Mandi, Katra Amar Singh, Katra Mohar Singh and Bazar Tunda Talab. The area
to be brought under the Heritage Zone works out to be approximately 244 acres.
In addition to the Heritage Zone, it is also considered critical to safeguard, protect and develop the most actively used
approach road to these buildings and sites of significance and the Heritage Zone. Accordingly, Hall Bazaar from Hall
Gate to the Town Hall and to Darbar Sahib is also included in the Heritage Zone so that approach road is also
developed/regulated as integral part of heritage conservation and area improvement and enhancement strategies.
The MPD elaborates on that in order to protect and enhance the existing character of Heritage Zone, it is proposed to
prepare detailed guidelines for the heritage zone including conservation and tourism area, which would inter alia involve.
i) Prohibiting the change of land use and subdivision of land within the heritage zone.
ii) Framing exclusive development control regulation for the heritage zone.
iii) Using different controls in terms of:
a) Floor Area Ratio
b) Height controls
c) Land Use control
d) Set backs/projections
e) Façade control
f) Material control
iv) Using urban design as the mechanism to control and regulate development. Using vernacular architecture and the existing architectural
features as integral part of the building design.
vii) Rationalizing advertisement in the heritage zone through advertisement controls.
viii) Pedestrianisation of approach road to Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh from Hall Gate to Town Hall to Jallianwala Bagh/
Golden Temple.
ix) Selective widening of the scope of Galiara project for creating more open spaces/ public vistas around Golden Temple/ Jallianwala
Bagh based on the detailed study and analysis of the area adopting multi-disciplinary approach involving experts in the area of heritage,
transportation, infrastructure etc.
x) Shifting the Municipal Corporation office from the Town Hall and remodeling the building to convert it into a Museum of Amritsar
Heritage.
xi) Undertaking large-scale plantation of the available open spaces/ parks existing within walled city including notification of open spaces
in the walled city such as Bagh Akalian etc.
xii) Appropriately designed signage’s to be put in place at critical areas for identification of areas of historical, architectural and tourist
importance.
Additionally the following specific recommendations are made:
All the services laid down in the heritage zone shall be made underground including, electrical, telephone etc. in order to minimize visual
pollution. Display of advertisement on the buildings and along the roads shall be regulated and made integral part of buildings and available
spaces. Special lighting arrangements shall be made to enhance the visual effect of historic buildings and available spaces. Congestion shall be
eliminated by regulating the movement of vehicles, removal/re-location of informal activity, vehicular parking and widening of the fore courts
of historic buildings.
All unauthorized constructions shall be removed; height of the buildings constructed in heritage zone shall be regulated in order to ensure that
no buildings is constructed more than the existing height so that the ambience of Heritage building is not diluted. The use of material on the
façade shall be brick and wood with concrete and glass not permitted to be used. Based on the above parameters, detailed strategies for the
development of the Heritage Zone shall be prepared.

Heritage Zones around Rambagh garden and Gobindgarh Fort
In addition to the heritage zone around Golden Temple described above, heritage zones- around Gobindgarh Fort and
Rambagh Garden- have been also been included. These two zones fall in the area outside the walled city considering
their historic and cultural importance. The Rambagh Garden is a notified monument of national importance and
protected under the “Ancient Monuments Archaeological Sites and Remains Act-1958” (Amended and Validated 2010).
These zones have been identified on the Proposed Landuse Plan-Amritsar Local Planning Area.
Figure 4-1: Heritage Zones proposed in the notified Master Plan of Amritsar
Proposed Land Use

The proposed land use for Amritsar in the master plan has been prepared for 2010-2031 based on analysis of the existing
land use, projected population growth, with an extended area identified and notified as the local planning area (L.P.A).
Land use identified in the existing plan and proposed in the Master plan:
S. Existing Land use Proposed Land Use

No.
a. Residential a. Residential
b. Commercial b. Commercial
c. Mixed Land use c. Mixed Land use
d. Industrial
d. Industrial
e. Public & Semi Public
e. Public & Semi Public f. Government Land
f. Government Land g. Recreation
g. Utilities and Services h. Rural & Agricultural Zone

h. Traffic & Transportation i. Conservation Areas
i. Recreational j. Forest Areas
j. Special Areas ( Heritage & Conservations) k. Tourism
Evaluation
While most of the land use categories are same but the proposed Land Use Plan three more land uses have been
introduced which are Conservation, Forest Areas and Tourism. Absent from the proposed land use is the mention
of 1: Traffic and Transportation and 2: Utilities and Services. The analysis from the Comprehensive Mobility Plan in
section 4.1.2 of this chapter elaborates on this exclusion and the impact it has on understanding of urban expansion and
subsequent recommendations for the same.
Residential Land use

In the proposed land use plan the residential areas have been classified into three categories depending upon their
densities RD 1, RD 2 and RD 3.
Table 4-1 Net Density in Residential Zone
S.no. Zone Net Density

a. High Density Residential Zone RD 1(within walled city ) 301 person/acre
b. Medium Density Residential zone RD 2 200 person /acre
c. Low Density Residential Zone RD 3 100 person /acre
Evaluation
In zone RD1 which is the core density area of the walled city the master plan identifies it as a high density area and
proposes to decongest it by reducing the net residential density to 300 person per acre from the present density of more
than 380 person per acre. Though it constitutes only 2.44% of the total Municipal area, yet it houses 16% the
total MC population.
Recreational Spaces in the City

Statistics on population density in the walled city in the preceding section sets the context in which recreational spaces/
open spaces require to be evaluated. The city lacks in provision of adequate green/recreational spaces thus affecting
the quality of life in the city. There is a felt need to provide recreational areas and upgrading the existing ones. Total
area proposed under recreational use 2489 hectares -15% of total urbanized area.
Mapping of open spaces in the walled city for the City HRIDAY Plan has confirmed this dearth of open space. Based
on the survey, it is apparent that green spaces within this dense fabric are practically absent and most open spaces, a
majority of which are owned by the MCA, lie vacant or are used as parking.3
3 See Volume IV: Annexures for detailed inventories).

Figure 4-2: Mapping of open/ green/ vacant spaces in the walled city and its immediate environs (Detailed inventories are present in Volume
IV: Annexures)

There is different kind of recreational spaces in a city. There are proposals for open spaces in the city but very few
address the needs of local people and Master Plan does not stipulate or a facilitate an open space strategy at local level.
Below is the list of interventions of their type:
SN Name Location Status Category Area Scale

1 40 khuh site At intersection of Existing orchards to Park City level/tourist
UBDC and Tarn be enhanced level
Taran Railway To prepare a detail
line scheme as integral
part of Zoning Plan
2 Along UBDC One side of Proposed in Master Green belt 45 mt wide on Green
canal UBDC upto Ring Plan one side with belt/recreational
road on both road on other
North and south side.
directions
3 Along UBDC Outside proposed Proposed in Master Green belt 45 metres on Green belt
canal ring road upto Plan both sides
LPA boundary in
north of LPA
4 Zoological park Rakh Bhusian Proposed in Master Regional level
near SaraiAmanat plan
Khan
5 Amritanand Block E Ranjit Proposed by Mela ground, 30 acre City Level
Avenue, Improvement Trust family
FatehgarhChurian picinic,
Road heritage
court,
children play
area.
6 Rambagh Along out Existing but is under 18 acre Tourist Level

circular road rejuvenation
outside wall city
7 Golbagh Along out Existing Neighborhood
circular road level
outside wall city
8 Sakatribagh Along out Existing Neighborhood
circular road level
outside wall city
9 Gandhi stadium Existing but
proposed to be
upgraded and
enhanced with
international level
facilities
10 New sports Southern part, 50-60 acres Sports facility

complex city ring road
11 Golf course and Along Ajnala Tourist level
hotel facilities for road towards
tourist airport
12 Convention centre D block, Ranjit 30-40 acres
and exhibition Avenue
ground

13 Leisure Valley Along Ganda To be cleaned, Environment/

Nallah and Tung developed as recreation level
Dhab Drain stormwater carrying
drains to augment
groundwater
recharge, creating
pathways and
making it more
accessible for public.
Figure 4-3 Mapping of the Proposed Recreational Spaces presented in the preceding table
Evaluation
The Master Plan proposals also indicate the need to develop open spaces within old city and areas adjoining it particularly
in the southern part where it is unplanned development. Some suggestion mentioned is – space available after shifting
the wholesale market outside to be used for open space and recreational area. (10.5.1.7 Recreation). But it is not specified
the kind and type –so need to articulate the point in detail so that it is a more conservative cum innovative intervention
rather than a current kind of recreational facility.
Adjoining the walled city areas like – roadways depot, Lakkar mandi, Dussehra ground, etc. are proposed to be
developed as major recreational zone. (10.5.1.7 Recreation). Concept of ‘City Forest’ is proposed for intensive plantation
to increase green cover and improve quality of environment (10.5.1.7 Recreation). No specific strategy has been illustrated

to further detail out the proposal and tentative location not mentioned. All the drains/nallahs/distributaries to have a
green belt of 10 mts along them.
To summarise:
i. The entire proposal to increase the recreational/open space is piece meal type of proposal and lacks a holistic
approach. A comprehensive strategy is lacking to integrate smaller proposals so as to have a comprehensive
plan at the city level to be able to make an effective difference to the quality of life of its people. When the
vision states about bringing about a ‘better quality of life’ -in the absence of open spaces development strategy
which addresses both the macro and micro level interventions there is a risk that the objective will not be
achieved .
ii. The proposals are primarily at the city level (though not adequate) and further not at neighbourhood level
thereby the provision of open spaces will impact a select number of people only - Neighborhood level
interventions are lacking.
iii. Need to identify small pockets of land, which are interconnected as park connectors to make local level impact,
which further forms an integrated network with the transport system.
Commercial
The existing area under commercial use constitutes 4.72% of the total developed area of Municipal Corporation,
Amritsar.
Conventional specialized bazaar system existing in the walled city which is the major commercial area or “C.B.D”
of the city having 22 specialized bazaars which serve the wholesale and retail commercial needs of residents of city
and neighbouring urban and rural settlement. The total character of the walled city is marked by mixed land use with
commercial use on the ground floor while with residential on the upper floors. Outside Hall Gate and behind Municipal
parking on Bhandri Bridge exists the wholesale market of tyres, batteries, and private transport offices.
Big mall, multiplex, shopping complexes type of commercial areas are emerging on Queens Road, Court Road, M.M
Malviya Road, Lawrence Road, Mall Road, GT road, Batala road and Ranjit Avenue. The establishment of city centre
near Bus stand and District Shopping Complex at B Block Ranjit Avenue (area 61 acre).
Issues
i. Change of land use from residential to commercial i.e. large shopping areas have been developed in the
residential plots without providing adequate parking has adversely impacted the quality of life in these areas.
Frequent traffic jams and on street parking is a common character.
ii. Change of use to commercial along all minor/major streets needs to be regulated as these greatly impact
mobility and quality of life in the absence of adequate infrastructure based on the new uses.
iii. Due to commercial activities concentrated in the walled city, there is large scale conversion of residential areas
into commercial use as well. The upper floors of buildings are used for commercial activity in several pockets
of the walled city. This pattern is more pronounced in the areas defined by Katra Ahluwalia, Karmon Deori,
Shastri Market, Hall Bazaar etc. wherein the availability of space is a constraint and land prices are very high.
MPD Proposal
In order to meet the emerging requirement of commercial areas 5% of the total urbanisable area has been proposed
under this use. In all 829.7 hectares has been proposed for commercial development.
The existing area is proposed to be retained, developed, augmented and enhanced in terms of infrastructure and services
in order to enable it to cater to be needs of commercial areas.
As per the provisions of PAPR Act 1995 about 5% of residential colony is required to be provided for commercial
use, therefore as and when the new residential areas are developed in the future the commercial areas will be ear marked
based on the norms specified above.
i. The need of quality commercial development, hotels, shopping malls and multiplexes, convention
centers,exhibition halls and golf clubs have been proposed along Ajnala Road because of nearness to Rajasansi
International Airport.
ii. FOOD COURTS to be developed to leverage on the strength of preparing delicacies to attract tourists within
and outside Walled City with adequate parking. These should be set up near Hall Gate, G.T.B Hospital, Ajnala
Road, Mall Road, near old Session Court, near existing Bus Stand/Railway Station and G.N.D.U.
iii. MALL TYPE TYPOLOGY to encourage retail commercial is encouraged on major roads of the city with some
guidelines have been set in development control regulation Chapter 11.
iv. PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL TRADE: 400 hectare of land is earmarked for trade and commerce zone
including warehousing, godowns auto repair centers, logistic park, freight complexes, cold storage etc has been
proposed between G.T. Road and railway line towards Attari, looking at its close proximity to the proposed
industrial zone, international airport and international border with Pakistan. It is proposed that the area should
also be utilized for setting up hotels and other support facilities for the tourists/traders coming from Pakistan,
besides providing major recreational activities including amusement parks for catering to the needs of the
residents /visitors going to the Wagah Border.
v. TWO WHOLESALE GRAIN MARKET TO BE SHIFTED, i.e. Bhagtanwala Market and Vallah outside the
city will also help farmers in easy marketing of their produce due to lesser distance to be covered and better
accessibility.
vi. RAYYA AS AN AGRICULTURAL TOWN and its strategic location between the two important urban centers
of Amritsar and Jalandhar along NH-1, it is proposed to be developed as an agricultural marketing center.
Evaluation
i. Most of the strategies revolve around the new type of commercial development.
ii. There is no strategy stated to strengthen the existing traditional markets within the walled city through
improvement in the quality of infrastructure even though these markets have been identified as aspects of
tremendous value to the city both from the historic point of view as well as economic.
iii. There is no provision for improving areas where over exploitation of the locational value has an adverse impact
on the city specifically related to mobility, quality of life and imagibility of the city. For instance 700 shops have
been built along the circular road by the Municipal Corporation. This has caused immense stress along this road
and impeding circulation. .
Industrial Employment & Production

It has been observed that 93% of the workers in Amritsar city are engaged in other activities (mainly tertiary activities),
4% in household industry and 3% in primary activities i.e. cultivators and agricultural laborers. Likewise, 77.9% of the
working population in the Amritsar LPA is engaged in the tertiary activities with 18.33% in primary activities. Thus
maximum percentage of increase is observed in the manufacturing processing and repair industry i.e. household industry
and construction industry.
Currently Amritsar has both large scale and small-scale industrial units with 69% of the small-scale units and 61.5%
medium-large scale units located within Amritsar city.
Amritsar city has the highest number of small scale units (17,985 units) as compared to medium and large scale units
and also provides highest employment (81,772), the share of employment in city comes to 70.84% of the district. Small-
scale industries also stand highest in case of production, in the year 2007, the production from small-scale units stands
at Rs 3,836.61 crores. Most of the existing industrial units are scattered all over within the city, with few located in
planned industrial areas at three Industrial focal point along Mehta road, Chheharta, east of Mohan nagar etc.
Issues
i. Location of industries within residential areas is causing pollution in the residential areas.
ii. The existing focal points although have provision of water supply, sewerage and storm water drainage but they
lack maintenance. The internal roads in the old focal point are not well maintained. Open disposal of hazardous
waste and other industrial waste has been observed which needs to be regulated.
iii. There is an urgent need to develop industries in a comprehensive manner, they should have specific zone with
all state of art infrastructure needs to be identified.
iv. There are large numbers of motor repair shops and related activities spread over the entire city creating
numerous problems of pollution, parking and congestion. In order to rationalize this activity Master Plan
Amritsar has proposed to set up Auto repair complexes on major traffic arteries of the city, which will provide
for repair, sale of spare parts and other services related to vehicles.
v. The lost glory of Amritsar city in terms of woolen tweeds, suitings, and blankets requires to be considered for
restoration.
vi. Absence of food processing industry or cold storage facility considering the land is rich in agricultural produce
and could greatly benefit through area of development of food processing parks.
MPD Proposal
i. The master plan has suggested three industrial zones of area 1,379.61 hectare in the L.P.A.
ii. One of the industrial zone is located towards south of the city, along both sides of Tarn Taran Road (from the
intersection of U.B.D.C, Railway line and Tarn Taran Road) upto the planning area boundary which also falls
within the 200 km belt of Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor proposed by the central government.
iii. All the industrial zones to have 200mts wide green belt of broad leaf trees within the industrial zones to separate
the industries from existing abadis and the residential areas.
iv. All the existing industrial cluster are proposed to be retained in the current Masterplan.
Ongoing Projects identified in the Master Plan
i. Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) is in the process of developing a New Focal Point
on Mehta Road along Bypass. The scheme is of Small Township with all facilities located at the same place.
The total area of the scheme is 184.04 acres, 62.05 acres of which is allocated for industrial plots numbering
459 plots. The industries coming hereare related to power loom, electroplating, dyeing, etc.
ii. Setting up of Information Technology Park - Government of Punjab has been requested to set up an IT Park
at Amritsar.
iii. A Sector specific Special Economic Zone (SEZ) dedicated to Textiles is coming up in Amritsar at Khasa village
on GT Road towards Attari. The Punjab-based Ishan Developers and Infrastructure Limited, is developing
The Integrated Textile Park on 100 hectares at village Khasa in Amritsar with the investment of Rs 1,861 crores.
The project is expected to provide employment to 15,000 people.
Evaluation
i. The existing industrial zones are being given incentives to shift to the proposed industrial zone locations, but
no strategy have been mentioned to further strengthen the existing infrastructure of existing non polluting small
scale and house hold industries.

ii. Also there are large area of industrial area near UBDC canal, no guidelines have been mentioned to protect the
drain from the adverse effects of industries in close proximity.
iii. Industrial zone 2 is proposed right along the UBDC canal without leaving a green buffer in the Master plan.
iv. The green buffer around the industrial to be articulated further as to type of pollution resistance tree type or
palate to be mentioned and other measures to be taken to resist the adverse environment impact.
Emerging Economic Drivers of LPA 4

It is stated in the master plan that several economic drivers have been identified within the Amritsar L.P.A. recently,
booming real estate activities have been observed with the coming up of several residential colonies such as Impact
Gardens (a mega project), Garden Enclave, Shubham Enclave, Ansal City, Heritage City etc and has played a role in
both the physical and economic development of the city. Development of several shopping malls and multiplexes, like
Celebration Mall, Alpha One, Trilium, etc. along with commercial retail chains like Bharti Walmart Best price on GT
road near Manawala, Tata retail chain stores, reliance retail chain stores etc., have been described to contribute towards
the economic development. The Master plan does not evaluate the impact of new development of real estate
on the historic core of the city which is the walled city in the areas of overall mobility at the city level as well
as the in long term environmental and economic sustainability .
Infrastructure
Pure development of real estate including building of high end commercial outlets are not sustainable economic drivers
as they are not truly wealth generators. Skills development and principles of equity requires to be the foundation of
any economic development strategy. The proposal for establishment of World-Class Central University in the Amritsar
is an important proposal towards this end.
Tourism
The Amritsar over the period of time has also established its mark in the tourism industry due to the presence of Golden
Temple and other historical sites in the region. The city is witnessing boom in hotel and restaurant industry due to large
influx of tourists on daily basis. Several projects are being undertaken to conserve and enhance the city’s heritage and
to improve the city infrastructure to attract more and more number of tourists. The booming tourism industry is bound
to give employment to large number of people in near future. Existing economic drivers are studied in terms of Industry,
trade/commerce, tourism and agriculture/allied activities.
The interventions for sustainable tourism development requires to be based on a value chain analysis which identifies
the key assets, resources and skills needed for their sustainable development and management. The master plan doesnot
identify the needs and gaps for the development of tourism and doesnot include specific recommendations responsive
to the tourism development needs.
4
Traffic and Transportation

Nearly 1388.67 hectares of the area which is 16.66% of the total developed area and 9.75% of the total municipal area
of the city is under road network which comprises of roads, railway line, terminals such as bus stand, truck stand, railway
station, airport and parking lots/areas existing in the Amritsar city. The existing area under this category is less than the
prescribed norm of 15- 18% for the metro cities.
The city has 11 radials emerging out or leading to the Amritsar city, which are Ram Tirath Road, Ajnala Road, Loharka
Road, Fatehgarh Churian Road, Majitha Road, Batala Road, Sri Hargobindpur Road, G.T Road towards Jalandhar, Tarn
Taran Road, Jhabal Road and Attari Road, which can be clearly identified on the Existing Land Use Plan drawing. Apart
from these major radials, there are intra city roads, which are connecting several important places within the city such
as Outer Circular Road, Mall Road, Lawrence Road etc and minor city roads existing in the city. The major problems
related to this aspect is that of traffic bottlenecks, road encroachments, lack of parking areas resulting into on-street
parking, lack of ROB’s and underpasses for both pedestrian and vehicular movement etc. The details of existing road
network and other uses relating to traffic and transportation are shown in Existing Land Use Plan- Amritsar.
MPD Proposal
The following principles are identified in the Master Plan in section 10 towards improvement of traffic and
transportation as an important urban service:
i. Improving safety, mobility and efficiency of traffic within and outside the city.
ii. Segregating and rationalizing the inter and intra-city traffic.
iii. Improving road geometry and road capacity of existing network.
iv. Minimizing the use of private transport and to promote public transport.
v. Using planning as a mechanism for rationalizing and minimizing traffic.
vi. Minimizing pollution caused by traffic and transportation.
vii. Creating new road network and to improve the existing network to promote
viii. operational efficiency of traffic.
ix. Reviewing the existing activity pattern to rationalize the traffic.
x. Providing adequate parking spaces to remove traffic bottlenecks.
xi. Creating a cost–effective and efficient mechanism of mass transportation.
xii. Minimizing traffic within the Walled City.
xiii. Promoting pedestrianisation within the Walled city.
Evaluation
Detailed in next section

4.1.2 Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Amritsar City, 2012
Prepared by: Consulting Engineering Services (India) Pvt Ltd in association with SYSTRA MVA Consulting (India) Pvt
Ltd
Submitted to: Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company, Department of Local Government, Punjab
Vision
The vision of the CMP for Amritsar is to “Plan, Develop, Operate and Manage an Integrated Multi Modal Transport
System for the LPA of Amritsar which is effective, inclusive, affordable, safe, and sustainable and which enhances the
brand image of Amritsar as a “World Class City”.
Key Findings
In Chapter 3 of the CMP, a critical analysis of the Master Plan for Amritsar highlights major issues and concerns with
regards to the proposed recommendations made in it. The chief concerns raised are:
 Existing Landuse category is incompatible with Zoning Regulations

 Proposed population density pattern is not reflected in the proposed land use plan
 Lack of reflection of employment structure in spatial distribution and quantification of primary, secondary and
tertiary workers/ work zones
 Civic Amenities require greater focus in proposals
 Transit- Oriented development has not been considered
 Lack of provisions for disaster mitigation and management
In light of these findings, the CMP specifically works within a mandate which recognizes that “land use and transport
planning are conducted as separate exercises, leading to new development without transport and transport
infrastructure that fails a city’s long term visions”.
The CMP recognizes that there has been a considerable increase in numbers of private vehicles during the period of
2005-06 to 2009-10. The expenditure on transport is higher than the expenditure on housing or education or health.
The probable reason for high expenditure on transport (about Rs. 2090 per household) is absence of Adequate Public
transport service and use of private transport and IPT leads to higher expenditure in Amritsar city.
Extensive study on city’s transport system and traffic characteristics in the report has revealed the following:
 60% of the road length is less than 15mts carriageway width.

 On street parking is predominant (over 63% of road length) resulting in capacity reduction.
 Pedestrian facilities are either poor or absent.
 87% of road lengths has no footpaths.
 Walk trips account for nearly 27% of all trips.
 Auto plays a major role in modal share (22.03 %) due to absence of organized Bus services.
 Due to the nature of the urban fabric of the walled city with its narrow streets, cycles and cycle rickshaws have a significant role to
play in city mobility
 Two wheelers are the most popular mode of private travel.

The pie- chart below represents this current modal share in Amritsar
MODAL SHARE IN AMRITSAR
two wheeler cars auto rickshaw buses cycle cycle rickshaws
Strategy
The CMP in Section 6.2 articulates its overall strategy to provide the following:
 Public Mass Transport System which is extensive in coverage appropriate in technology mix, equitable and
inclusive in access to service, affordable and which caters a large share of the travel demand.
 Pedestrian and Non-Motorized Transport facilities which are extensive, adequate, attractive and safe.
 Terminals, both of passenger and goods, to provide a place of convenient access to the services, a place of easy
transfer amongst modes and services , a place of refuge, a complex of multiuse, a landmark in urban escape,
and overall, a facilitator of integration amongst transport modes, land use and people.
 Parking policy, parking areas and parking complexes which, provide for orderly parking of modes, enable
convenient transfer to public transport and support traffic management objectives of local spot, area and
corridor plans.
 Develop orbital roads to reorganize traffic pattern and reduce concentrated flows into the walled city area.
 Upgrade and manage the orbital road around the Walled city area to promote restrictive access policy into, and
traffic management of the walled city area.
 Develop e-engineer and manage the Radial and Orbital corridors as Multi-modal Integrated transport corridors.
(ITC’s)
 Transform walled city area into predominantly pedestrian and NMT area with very restrictive and limited access
to motorized modes.
 Re-design the streets within the walled city to promote safe, leisurely and convenient movement of pedestrians.
 Inter-connect all heritage cultural and tourist interest places within the walled city by a well-designed pedestrian
cum NMT street system with well-designed and attractive street furniture and other facilities to enhance the
“Walk-ability” within the walled city.
 Invariably provide pedestrian footpaths and NMT lanes along all corridors and streets of the city.
 Provide exclusive pedestrian phase at all signalized intersections.
 Provide pedestrian grade separation facility, at mid-block, along major arterial corridors where the intersection
spacing is 1 km or more.
 Provide pedestrian refuge islands, of adequate size, at all intersections.
Key Recommendations
Taking the above principles forward, in the CMP. The CMP has done calculations for a travel demand model projection
for Amritsar for the year2031. The model has been forecasted for three land use scenarios and five transport system
alternative scenarios. In total 15 scenarios has been prepared for various combination of Land use scenarios and
transport network alternatives.
The basic details of the 5 transport network alternatives are:
Alternative 1: Do Nothing
Alternative 2: Proposed inner and outer Ring road
Alternative 3: Proposed City and Inner Ring road and BRT corridor
Alternative 4: Proposed City, Inner Ring road. Outer Ring road and BRT corridor
Alternative 5: Proposed BRT and LRT corridor on city, Inner Ring road and Outer Ring road
The 3 Development Growth Scenarios conceptualized in the CMP are described below:
Scenario 01: D1- Master Plan Scenario
This scenario adopts the master plan concept in terms of population and activities
(landuse) distribution. Four major spatial units have been identified including the
Walled city, the remaining area under the Municipal Corporation (referred to as AMC),
LPA Urban and LPA Rural. The urban extension area proposed in the Master Plan
outside the municipal corporation area is designated as LPA Urban, while the
remaining has been designated as LPA Rural.
Scenario 02: D2-Poly Nodal Scenario
In this scenario, 6 Urban Nodes in LPA (apart from AMC) with a higher concentration of people and employment are
considered resulting in a poly nodal pattern. The new urban nodes envisaged are:
 Rajasansi
 Majitha

 Jandiala
 Rayya
 Mandiala
 Lahorimal
The population in the LPA urban spatial division - D1- is redistributed amongst the
new urban nodes and the rest of LPA urban. A higher density of 32ppha in each of
the urban nodes is proposed. The population size in the walled city, rest of AMC and
LPA Rural is considered to be the same as in D1.
Scenario 03: D3-Nodal –cum-Corridor Scenario
This scenario aims to interlink the AMC with the new Urban Nodes through strong
transport corridors. There is a potential of developing and operating a high capacity,
technology integrated, public transport system along these corridors. This offers an
opportunity for achieving a close integration between land use and transport. The
concept of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) along these corridors is a prime
feature. The density along the corridor to a depth of 500 meters on either side is
taken at a high of 35 ppha. The distribution of population amongst Walled City,
AMC and LPA rural spatial divisions is considered the same as in D2.
Amongst the 15 scenarios, the CMP identifies S3T5 combination as the best strategy. The salient features of this
recommendation have been listed in the CMP as:
 Double the share of Public Transport Modes from 30% to 60%.

 Of the public transport share, increase the share of Public Mass Transport System (PMTS) from 4% to 40%.
 The travel demand by 2031 is predicted to be 1.04 million trips per day. Thus a Bus Rapid Transit System is
proposed and identified as follows:
1. Corridor 01: Walled City Orbital Road (7.3km)
2. Corridor 02: Inner Ring Road (42.5 km)
3. Corridor 03: Middle Ring Road (74km)
4. Corridor 04: Bus Stand to Majitha along Majitha road (15.2 km)
5. Corridor 05: Bus stand to MRR along Fathegarh ChurianRoad (7.2 km)
6. Corridor 06: Lahori Gate to Middle Ring Road along Khemkaran road (7.6 km)
 Light Rail Transit System is proposed along the following corridors:
1. Line 01: Green Line-from Transport Nagar to Jandiala via Bus stand along the NH-1 (34.1 KM)
2. Line 02: Red Line – Verka to Mandiala Industrial via Bus stand and through Walled City along NH-
15 (17.5 km)
3. Line 03: Yellow Line- Bus stand to Airport along Ajnala Road (11.5 km)
 It is also recommended all major junctions and intersections to be signalized and then linked and integrated
under a central area traffic control scheme (ATCs).
 16 ROB’S/RUB’S are proposed for improvement /new construction.
 As walking is an important mode of travel in Amritsar [especially since walk trips within 1.0 km length
account for a large share (77%) of all walk trips] A short term plan focuses attention of provisions for
pedestrians and NMT facilities.

Figure 4-4: The LRT network planned in different phases
Figure 4-5: The BRT network planned in different phases.

Computer simulations done for the S3T5 combination in the CMP show the relation between the future network link
and VC5. These simulations provided below illustrate that traffic congestion in this scenario is the least and thus, is the
best scenario.
Figure 4-6: Future Network Link with VC Ratio> 1.0 (For S3T5 ); Source: Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Amritsar, 2012
Figure 4-7: Future Network showing link with VC ratio >0.8 (For S3T5 ); Source: Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Amritsar, 2012
Proposals for HRIDAY presented in Chapter 8 resonate with this assessment and adopt in its strategy for City
Mobility the emphasis on the BRT along the Circular Road (around the Walled City) and also encourages the
need for NMT infrastructure within the Walled City.
5 Volume-to-Capacity Ratio (VC): A measure of the opening capacity of a roadway or intersection, in terms of the number of vehicles passing through, divided by the
number of vehicles that theoretically could pass through when the roadway or intersection is operating at its designed capacity. Abbreviated as “v/c.” At a v/c ratio of 1.0,
the roadway or intersection is operating at capacity. If the ratio is less than 1.0, the traffic facility has additional capacity. Although ratios slightly greater than 1.0 are
possible, it is more likely that the peak hour will elongate into a “peak period.”

4.2 Existing Acts and Policies of Central and State Government applicable to
the city
The existing laws which impact heritage protection, conservation and development of heritage precincts and individual
sites of significance have been examined. This was necessary to encapsulate the shared objective of several departments
of the government on matters related to both natural and cultural heritage.
4.2.1 The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958
(Amendment Act 10 of 2010)
The AMASR Act of 2010 was brought about primarily to regulate activities around protected monuments and sites of
national importance as per the 1958 Act as a consequence of increase in pressures of habitation, especially in urban area,
whereby protected monuments and protected sites were getting hemmed in from all sides, detracting from the aesthetics
of the monument and sites.
Sections 20A to Section 20E of the 1958 Act introduced vide 2010 Amendment Act deal with:
i. prohibited area, which “begins at the limit of the protected area/protected monument”; And
ii. Regulated area which “begins at the limit of the protected area in respect of every protected monument and protected area”.
Thus, there appears to be no section or sub-section dealing with construction activities within the limit of a ‘protected
area’ or a ‘protected monument’, as the case may be.
Section 20C of the 1958 Act also introduced vide the Amendment Act, 2010 provides for making applications to the
Competent Authority (prescribed by Section 2(d and b) of the 1958 Act introduced vide the Amendment Act, 2010) to
carry out repair, renovation or reconstruction within the prohibited area or regulated area, which application is first
forwarded to the National Monument Authority (“NMA”) to consider and intimate impact of such construction
(including the impact of large scale development project, public project and project essential to the public) having regard
to the heritage bye-laws relating to the concerned protected monument or protected area within a period of two months
from the date of receipt of such application and thereafter, the Competent Authority grants or refuses the same as per
the recommendation made by the NMA.
The NMA has been set up and is functional. However, the heritage bye-laws are under preparation by Indian National
Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (“INTACH”) as per the provisions of Section 20E of the 1958 Act (also introduced
vide the Amendment Act, 2010) and they would be bound on the internally accepted norms regarding heritage
conservation and HIA.
At present, the heritage bye-laws for the only protected site in Amritsar- Rambagh garden - are yet to be formulated
and notified. It is pertinent to note here that as per the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Amendment Act 10
of 2010, until the heritage bye-laws are notified, the Act confers the power on NMA to consider the impact of large
scale development projects which may be proposed in the regulated areas and make recommendations to the competent
authority for grant of permission.
The relevant clause is extracted herein below which reads as under- 4….
(c) that until the heritage bye laws are notified, no permission for repair or renovation or construction or reconstruction will be considered,
except in exceptional cases only with the approval of the National Monument Authority;

(d) for constitution of the National Monument Authority to inter alia, grade and classify monument; oversee the working of competent
authority; suggest measures for implementation of the provisions of the Act; consider the impact of large scale developmental projects, which
may be proposed in the regulated areas and make recommendations to the competent authority for grant of permission.
The Laws of Punjab regarding archaeology should include amendments to augment the security of monument in the
state that remain to be protected by A.S.I or state archaeology, even though they come under the definition of heritage.
4.2.2 National Policy for Conservation of the Ancient Monuments, Archaeological Sites and
Remains (NPC- AMASR), 2014
Prepared and Notified by: Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture
The vision statement for the policy states at the outset that, “NPC-AMASR continues, on the one hand, to further the already
laid-out objectives of safeguarding monuments and sites of national importance and, on the other, envisions bringing in renewed
impetus for contemporising and indigenising the conservation approach.”
While currently applicable to monuments protected by ASI under AMASR Act, the policy does recognize that
unprotected heritage requires a similar outlook.
The Policy draws its formal inspiration from the Indian Archaeological Policy, 1915 that mandates the safeguarding and
protection of monuments as an important activity of ASI. It states that, conservation guidelines and principles which
were elaborated in the Conservation Manual: Handbook for the Use of Archaeological Officers and others Entrusted with the Care of
Ancient Monuments, 1923 are the guidelines that have largely been adhered to by the ASI ever since. Apart from these
internal guidelines, the Archaeological Survey of India has taken cognizance of the various international charters and
guidelines in defining conservation approaches for protected monuments.
It is most pertinent to note that NPC takes cognisance of the fact that the last policy which was adhered to
was prepared almost a century ago, in the pre-independence era of the country. This backdrop underscores
the need for a renewed policy which is relevant firstly, to the 21st century and the distinctive pressures of
urbanisation/ development, and secondly to the unique context of India and its cultural traditions and manner
in which heritage is engaged with, as significantly different to the western concept based on which the earlier
policies of 1915 and 1923 were prepared.
Objectives and Relevance of the Policy

The policy describes the context in which advancement has been necessary. It states, monuments and archaeological
sites, which are a finite and non-renewable cultural resource of our country, unlike ever before, are now subject to an
ever-increasing pressure from development and the increase in tourist visitation, which has put an unprecedented
adverse impact on them.
The NPC, aims to, not only draw lessons and inspirations from the ASI’s rich legacy for conservation but also
acknowledges the adoption of contemporary approaches to conservation, management and protection of monuments
and archaeological sites, and proposes various principles of interventions within and around them. The Policy also
acclaims available traditional craftsmanship in the country and the use of traditional building materials and skills as an
integral part of the conservation process. The Policy, for the first time, deals with topical aspects like the management
of tourism and development (within and around a monument), as well as issues of capacity building and building of
partnerships with multi-disciplinary organisations and institutions. The Policy attempts to put a monument in
perspective (as a ubiquitous part of its setting) and underpins the role of local communities. Functions of an
archaeological officer are no longer limited to the safeguarding of a monument but now also include maintaining and

sustaining its setting and environment as well as to continuously engage with communities/ stakeholders that either
reside within the proximity of a monument or those that are inextricably associated with the monument itself.
Evaluation and Recommendation

The policy concisely delves into various pertinent aspects related to conservation and revitalization of historic sites, with
a keen focus towards bringing to the fore a perspective of heritage conservation and management which respects the
role of craftspeople, local communities, the private sector and diverse stakeholders. Articles 1 to 6 focus on aspects
related to tangible conservation of a monument, its context and a value-based approach. While, further on, Article 8,
12 and 13 discuss the importance of engaging with the craftspeople and communities for a sustainable
conservation strategy.
One of the most notable features of the policy is its position to recognize heritage as ‘dynamic’. As opposed to the
AMASR Act, the NPC delves into the domain of providing new interventions within a monument, ie, within the limit
of a ‘protected area’ or a ‘protected monument’. This is most relevant in the context of Rambagh Garden, the only
protected monument in Amritsar city. It is important to present the recommendations of the policy to provide context
to the issues and opportunities faced by the Rambagh Garden. Excerpts from relevant article elaborate on this stance:
14.01 Monuments, contrary to the belief that they are frozen entities in space, actually have an inherent dynamism as they continue
to ‘evolve’ over periods of time. The evolution may not always be in terms of changes in the fabric of the monument itself, but in terms
of their existence in the continually changing environment surrounding it. It may be necessary at times to intervene within or around
a monument from the point of view of providing amenities for the comfort of its visitors or for the convenience and function of the ASI
staff or to address security concerns within and around the monument.
14.02 Any such new intervention within or around the monument should be done with great care and in a way that does not reduce
its significance as well as values of its environment in terms of being an incompatible intervention in terms of design, material, colour
or scale. For physical interventions to the environment within or around a monument, preference should be given to materials that are
compatible with its historic building fabric or that are vernacular (local) which reflects the building characteristics of the region to which
the monument belongs to.
14.03 Any new intervention should, as far as possible, blend with the historic character of the monument and its setting and should
not offer contrast which distracts one’s attention from the monument itself. New materials or construction techniques, if at all to be
employed for the construction of new buildings within a monument’s immediate environs should be handled with great care and
sensitivity, so that these do not become eye-sores with the passage of time or spoil in any way the appearance of the monument.
This is preceded by Article 9 which establishes the essential need to provide visitor amenities at a historic site. The
article states:
9 Tourism and Visitor Management
9.04 Suitable facilities / infrastructure should be created within or near the monument for the convenience of visitors. Facilities like
parking that allows for a sufficient number of vehicles, toilets, cloak room, potable water, audio-guide facilities, ticket booths, souvenir
counter, etc., should be located in a way that these are easily accessible prior to entering a monument39.
9.07 Visitor access and circulation should be worked out to facilitate movement within the monument in order to achieve optimum
visitation thereby causing least hindrance. However, care should be taken in controlling access to areas which are vulnerable to excessive
influx of visitors
The policy further presents a progressive stance in its recognition of the private sector as an possible partner for heritage
management in Article 11.

11 Public Private Partnership in Heritage Conservation and Management
11.03 Whilst conservation and upkeep of the monument remains with the Archaeological Survey of India, aspects such as visitor
amenities, signage (sign-boards), and amelioration of the environment around monument can be undertaken by adopting the PPP
model wherein human and financial resources can be generated from outside the government intended for such a purpose.
The above allow to put into context the complex situation in which the Rambagh garden sits. As the only historic site
in the city of Amritsar protected by ASI, the Rambagh Garden stands as testament to the significance of the site on a
national platform. The notified master plan for Amritsar also recognizes the site as one of the only green spaces in the
heart of the city and as an important recreational and cultural node in Amritsar- one which is in active use by the citizens
of the city
The garden in its entirety is owned of the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar (provincial government). The extents of
the protected boundary include the historic Rambagh Garden (Area = approx. 35 acres) which is situated within a larger
area that had come to be known over time as Company Bagh (Area = 84 acres). It is important to note that in the past,
recognising the absence of real historical significance of the outer parts of the company bagh, a large part of the bagh,
along its north western corner was allowed to house the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, a project funded by the
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
The garden in its entirety is under the operation and maintenance of the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar but has
several stakeholders due to the varied uses that continue to be housed within this complex. To describe the key
stakeholders, the summer palace which sits in the heart of the complex is under the management of Department of
Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums of Government of Punjab, the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama is under
the management of the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar; there are three clubs running out of several buildings within
the historic Chahrbagh, these are Amritsar Club, Service Club and Lumsden Club. While the entire complex is notified
under the AMASR Act only few of the buildings are under the management of ASI, these include the southern and
eastern deori, the four bastions , the Hammam and the baradari.
Article 14 also mentions relevant details with regards to development in the buffer zone.
14 New Interventions within a monument
14.06 While interventions within the protected area of the monument are governed by the policies that the Archaeological Survey of
India follows or adopts, in the surrounding areas, particularly the prohibited and regulated zone existing 300 meters beyond the
protected limit of the monuments, it is the National Monument Authority (NMA) which has been mandated to consider matters of
construction related activities and interventions. This process also involves the framing of heritage bye-laws with respect to each protected
monument/site and such bye-laws cover aspects of heritage control to interventions such as those related to building elevations, façades,
drainage systems, civic infrastructure, etc., that are to be placed within the defined zone.
It is important to highlight that the historic deori, or entrance gateway, is currently separated from the garden by a road-
which is in active use- cutting across. A BRTS corridor is proposed along this southern edge by the local government
as a one way corridor. The BRTS project is an advanced stage of implementation. If the lane were to be made one way
for all vehicles the traffic on the stretch of road separating the deori from the garden can be stopped altogether. This
would allow for the southern deori is recommended to be reintegrated into the garden. Thus, it is integral that the NPC
along with AMASR are engaged with to actively and urgently prepare development guidelines for the 300m buffer zone
around the Rambagh Garden.
Activities within and around the Rambagh garden related to culture and recreation are vital to the current character of
the garden. In continuation to development of guidelines for its buffer, it is also important that the surroundings of the
Rambagh Garden are developed taking into cognisance its current context and potential as a culture hub. Articles 7 and
8 of the NPC speak of strengthening institutional mechanisms by way of professional courses and collaborations with
institutes/ organisations working/ researching on aspects of conservation
7 Capacity Building
7.05 Collaborative programmes should be encouraged amongst institutions, organisations and laboratories working and researching
on the different aspects of documentation and conservation in order to share information and expertise in these fields.
8 Promotional / Outreach Programmes
8.01 It is necessary to generate public awareness, to educate and involve people by instilling in them a sense of delight, appreciation
and pride for monuments, to make them understand the importance of various legislations in protecting heritage and to join hands
with various agencies working to protect this tangible cultural wealth for posterity. The aim is to make the local communities and
visitors aware about their responsibilities towards the monuments of the country, so as to obtain their aid in the task of their
preservation and maintenance.
8.02 All related agencies responsible for the conservation of monuments should, therefore, organise, from time to time, awareness
campaigns and promotional / outreach programmes about the monuments of the country. The programmes should focus on various
aspects related to their history and conservation, and to educate and sensitise local communities in preserving these monuments.
In a similar vein, the fundamental importance of institutional collaboration and their strengthening should be extended
to those institutions engaged with cultural activities, such as Thakur Singh Art Gallery, Bhai Veer Singh Sadan and Virsa
vihar among others which are situated in the immediate vicinity of the Rambagh garden.
4.2.3 The Municipal Council (Erection and Re-erection of Building) (First Amendment) Bye-
laws, 2004- Punjab Government Gazette, 2006
Amritsar city is demarcated within the designated Municipal limits. This area was governed by The Amritsar Municipal
Corporation Building Bye-Laws, 1997, Published vide Punjab Gazette, (Extra.), dated 25.9.1997. These have since been
amended and upgraded. The city is now governed by The Municipal Council (Erection and Re-erection of Building)
(First Amendment) Bye-laws, 2004, Published vide Punjab Government Gazette, dated 7th April, 2006. These are
enforced by the Municipal Town Planner’s Office under the Municipal Corporation.
It is important to note that in case of the area falling outside Municipal limits, which is the LPA or Local Planning Area,
the Building Bye-laws of ADA/ PUDA apply.
Evaluation and Recommendation

Most critical is the lack of a separate set of bye laws for the walled city, which has a very distinct urban morphology
than that of the outer city. Such a blanket set of guidelines impedes rational development which both protects and
promotes the character of the urban and historic setting.
The current bye laws establish permissible limits to type of development, which has been analysed vis a vis current
figures as per the notified Master Plan of the city in the table below.

TYPOLOGY AREA GR. COVERAGE GR. COVERAGE HEIGHT

(PERMISSIBLE) (CURRENT) (PERMISSIBLE)
1. OFFICE 1170sq.m 100% 61.5% No restrictions
2. RESIDENTIAL 30sq.- 250sq.m 90% - 65% 100% 15m
3. PARKING 11150sq.m 40% 76% No restrictions
4. COMMUNITY 1440sq.m 40% 83% No restrictions

(INST)
5. COMMERCIAL 4100sq.m 100% 40% No restrictions
Due to intense development pressures and battle for commercial development within the walled city, a concerning
pattern of development is now being noted. In the absence of stringent height controls to building development, except
for residential buildings, it is seen that building plots are amalgamated with change of use to reconstruct higher buildings
on the same land. The conceptual diagrams below illustrate the issue of amalgamation of plots to build higher, supported
further by examples within the walled city where this is witnessed today.
15m 6.0m
12.0m
15m+
24.0m

4 3
1
5
2
3 4

4.3 Organizations Impacting Development of the City and Organizational

Structures
For a successful implementation of City HRIDAY plan which has as its vision sustainable management of heritage
resource and further continued operation and maintenance, it has been considered important to identify the line agencies
whose mandate is protect, conserve and undertake development of resources and related infrastructure which has a
direct or indirect impact on the resources. The success of the project and further to achieve the desired outcomes
requires engagement of the key stakeholders -both in the public and private sector- for holistic improvement of the
urban environment and sustainable heritage management The city managers would require close interaction with these
organizations for the implementation of the city HRIDAY plan. This section analyses the specific mandates, functioning
and inter-relationships of the departments/organisations to develop a realistic and sustainable implementation and
operating mechanism in which recommendations for HRIDAY can be embedded within.
4.3.1 Department of Local Government and the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar (MCA)
The Department of Local Government was established in the year 1966 and was given permanent status in the year
1979. Its main functions are to direct, supervise and control the functioning of all the Municipal Corporations,
Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Improvement Trusts in the State, to implement the
State/Centrally sponsored schemes through these urban local bodies and to get the water supply and sewerage
schemes executed through Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board for which the Department serves as
Administrative Department. The Department of Local Government of Punjab is the administrative body and has
following responsibilities allocated:
a) It looks after the matters relating to-
 acquisition of land by the Urban Local Bodies

 alienation or lease of Municipal Properties: and
 Lease of Nazool land for a period not exceeding ten years wherever such land has been placed under the control
of local bodies for purposes of management under a general or special order of the Government.
b) It is also responsible for the administration of the following Acts:-
 the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949 ;

 the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872 ;
 the Punjab Town Improvement Act, 1922 ;
 the State Carriage Act, 1861 ;
 the Punjab Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1961;
 the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Act, 1976 ;
 the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 ;
 the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 ;
 the Punjab Municipal (Executive Officer) Act, 1931 ;
 the Punjab Development of Damaged Areas Act, 1951 ;
 the Punjab Local Authorities Laws (Exercise of Powers) Act, 1953 ;
 the Local Authorities Loans Act, 1914; and
 the East Punjab Local Authorities (Restriction of Functions) Act, 1947
 Local Fund Audit

 Municipal Corporations, Municipal Committees, Notified Areas Committees and Improvement Trusts
 Establishment of Directorate of Local Government
 Slum Clearance and Slum Development Schemes
 Fire fighting
 Census
Figure 4-8 Organizational Structure of Punjab Urban Local Bodies

Source: http://pmidc.punjab.gov.in/department-of-local-govt/structure-of-local-government/
Principal Secretary, Local Government is also the administrative head of the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure
Development Company (PMIDC). PMIDC has been constituted under section 25 of the company act, 1956 as a
non- profit company. The objective of the company is to promote, create, upgrade and maintain, cost effective and
quality civic infrastructure in the state of Punjab including water supply, sewerage, drainage, water supply, solid waste
management etc. The company is also, vested with the functions of raising funds, leveraging resource through the
different modes for urban local bodies besides facilitating private sector participation in infrastructures through joint
ventures etc.
Since Amritsar is on its way to be part of the SMART cities under the Government of India Smart Cities
scheme, the Government of Punjab through PMIDC (Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development
Company) is now in the process of setting up an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle under Section 25) for planning,
management and implementation of work for the scheme.
Municipal Corporation of Amritsar (MCA)

The Municipal Corporation of Amritsar is the nodal agency for all development work within the Municipal Limits of
Amritsar city. It was constituted in place of the Municipal Committee when Amritsar was declared a city on 29th March
1977 under the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act of 1976. The city limits include 65 wards governed under 5
administrative zones (constituencies) within an area of 142 sq km, housing 91.5% of the urban population of Amritsar
district. The Amritsar Municipal Corporation Building Bye-Laws, published vide Punjab Gazette, (Extra.) in 1997 accord
rights and responsibilities to the MCA.
The Corporation is headed by a Municipal Commissioner with overarching powers with the Mayor. The officers/
engineers are divided into 3 main sections of Civil, Electrical and Operation and Maintenance headed by Superintending
Engineers with an additional Municipal Officer of Health. The Civil Department is further divided into 5 sections- one
each for an administrative zone. The Municipal Town Planner’s Office is also housed within MCA and functions under
a Senior Town Planner.
MAYOR
Commissioner
Additional Joint Supdt Engg Supdt Engg Supdt Engg

Commission Commission MoH MTP
(O&M) (Civil) (Street
Light)
XEN-I XEN- XEN- XEN- XEN-

West II III IV V
Senior Town
Planner
Zone 5 Zone Zone 3 Zone 7 Zone 1A
5A
Zone 8 Zone Zone 2 5 Assistant

Zone 6 Zone
7A Town
3A
Planners
Zone A Zone Zone 4
6A
Figure 4-9 Organizational structure of MCA

Source: Mr Surinder Rampal
The functions of the corporation are divided into two- obligatory and discretionary.
Obligatory functions of the Corporation :- It shall be incumbent According to the MC Act, on the Corporation to make
adequate provision by any means or measures which it may lawfully use or take for each of the following matters, namely
(a) Construction, maintenance and cleaning of drains and drainage works and of public latrines, urinals and
similar conveniences
(b) Construction and maintenance of works and means for providing supply of water for public and private
purposes
(c) Scavenging, removal and disposal of filth, rubbish and other obnoxious or polluted matters;
(d) Reclamation of unhealthy localities, the removal of noxious vegetation and generally the abatement of all
nuisances
(e) Regulation of places for the disposal of the dead and the provisions and maintenance of places for the said purpose
(f) Registration of births and deaths
(g) Public vaccination and inoculation
(h) Measures for preventing and checking the spread of dangerous diseases
(i) The construction and maintenance of municipal markets and slaughter- houses and the regulation of all
markets and slaughter houses
(j) Regulation and abatement of offensive or dangerous trades or practices
(o) Naming and numbering of streets and premises
(p) Maintenance of municipal offices
(k) Securing or removal of dangerous buildings and places
(1) Construction, maintenance, alteration and improvements 0f public streets, bridges, culverts, causeways
and the like
(m) lighting, watering and cleansing of public streets and other public places
(n) Removal of obstructions and projections in or upon streets, bridges and other public places
(q) Laying out or the maintenance of public parks, gardens or recreation grounds
(r) Maintenance of a fire-brigade and the protection of life and property in the case of fire
(s) Maintenance of monuments and memorials vested in a local authority in the City immediately before the
commencement of this Act or which may be vested in the Corporation after such commencement
(t) Maintenance and development of the value of all properties vested in or entrusted to the management of
the Corporation, and
(u) Fulfilment of any other obligation imposed by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force.
Discretionary functions of Corporation:-The Corporation may in its discretion provide either wholly or in part for all
or any of the following matters, namely:-
(a) Furtherance of education including cultural and physical education;
(b) Establishment and maintenance of, and aid to libraries, museums, art galleries, botanical or zoological
collections;
(c) Establishment and maintenance of, and aid to stadia, gynmasia, akharas and places for sports and games:
(d) Planting and care of trees on road sides and elsewhere;
(e) Surveys of buildings and lands:
(f) Registration of marriages;
(g) Taking of a census of population;
(h) Civic reception to persons of distinction;
(i) Providing of music or other entertainments in public places or places of public resort and the establishment
of theatres 'and cinemas;
(j) Organisation and management of fairs and exhibitions;
(k) acquisition of movable or immovable property for any of the purposes before mentioned, including
payment of the cost of investigations, surveys or examinations in relation thereto for the construction or
adaptation of buildings necessary for such purposes;
(1) Construction and maintenance of
(i) rest-houses,
(ii) poor-houses,
(iii) Infirmaries,
(iv) children's homes,
(v) Houses for the deaf and dumb and for disabled and handicapped children,
{vi) Shelters for destitute and disabled persons,
(vii) Asylums for persons of unsound mind;

(m) Construction and maintenance of cattle ponds;
(n) Building or purchase and maintenance of dwelling houses for Corporation officers and other Corporation
employees;
(o) Any measures for the welfare of the Corporation officers and other Corporation employees or any class of them
including the sanctioning of loans to such officers and employees or any class of them for construction of houses and
purchase of vehicles:
(p) Organisation or management of chemical or bacteriological laboratories for the examination or analysis of water,
food and drugs for the detection of diseases or research connected with the public health or medical relief:
(q) Provision for relief to destitute and disabled persons;
(r) Establishment and maintenance of veterinary hospitals;
(s) The organisation, construction, maintenance and management of swimming pools, public wash houses,
bathing places and other institutions designed for the improvement of public health;
(t) Organisation and management of farms and dairies within or without the City for the supply, distribution and
processing of milk and milk products for the benefit of the residents of the City;
(u) Organisation and management of cottage industries, handicraft centres and sales emporia;
(v) Construction and maintenance of warehouses and godowns:
(w) Construction and maintenance of garages, sheds and stands for vehicles and cattle biers;
(x) Provision for unfiltered water supply;
{y) Improvement of the City in accordance with improvement schemes approved by the Corporation
(zl the provision of housing accommodation for the inhabitants of any area or for any class of inhabitants;
{za) the establishment and maintenance of hospitals, dispensaries and maternity and child welfare centres and the
carrying out of other measures necessary for public medical relief
(zb) supply and distribution of electricity to the public; and
(zc) any measure not herein before specifically mentioned, likely to promote public safety, health, convenience
or general welfare.
The City Mission Directorate, or CMD, for HRIDAY is housed within the MCA and chaired by the Municipal
Commissioner. The organisation has as its mandate, development of infrastructure in the city around heritage
sites as MCA is the explicit manager of public space and often owner of built heritage- for instance the
fortification walls and gates of the city, Rambagh Garden, Gol bagh , 40 Khuh and Rambagh gate.
4.3.2 Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB)
Punjab has envisioned overall industrial and economic growth through development of world-class infrastructure in the
State. To achieve this objective a strong legal and institutional framework has been put in place through creation of
Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB).
The Chief Minister, Punjab is the Chairman of the Board and the Deputy Chief Minister is the Co-Chairman, besides
other senior Ministers and Secretaries as members of the Board. The statutory status of the PIDB amplifies the
significance provided to the development of infrastructure and private sector participation therein. PIDB has been
created under the Punjab Infrastructure (Development & Regulation) Act, 2002 (PIDRA). The PIDRA not only
provides broad based overarching regulatory frame work but also consolidates the best practices in infrastructure
development. PIDB is a nodal agency for implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) Projects in the State and
acts as an enabler and a facilitator for providing level playing field for participation of National and International
investors in creation of infrastructure in the State.
Government of Punjab undertaken several of the projects in the area of heritage and tourism through the
PIDB. PPP transactions related to leasing process of public assets within a view of long term operation and
maintenance is also channelized through PIDB.
The organisational structure of PIDB consists of a High Powered Board with the following:
i. The Chief Minister of Punjab- Chairman

ii. The Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab- Co-Chairman
iii. The Minister of Finance of Punjab- Vice-Chairman
iv. The Chief Secretary to Government of Punjab- Member
v. The Principal Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Finance- Member Secretary cum Convenor
vi. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Punjab- Member
vii. Managing Director of Board- Member
viii. Three technical experts to be nominated by the State Government - Member
ix. Minister or Principal Secretary or Secretary of the concerned Administrative Department -Special Invitee
The Board has an Executive Committee to aid and assist it in the discharge of its functions. The Executive Committee
consists of:
i. The Chief Secretary to Government of Punjab- Chairman

ii. Financial Commissioner - Revenue
iii. Principal Secretary - Finance
iv. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Punjab
v. Principal Secretary/Secretary - Planning
vi. Principal Secretary/Secretary - Housing & Urban Development
vii. Principal Secretary/Secretary - Local Government
viii. Managing Director of the Board- Convenor
In addition to the above, the Board may appoint Sectoral Sub-Committees and Infrastructure Project Implementation
Sub-Committees as may be considered necessary for carrying out the objectives of the Board.
In effect this results in the office of the PIDB working with a lean structure. The office of the PIDB comprises of :
i. Managing Director
ii. Additional Managing Director
iii. Technical Advisor
iv. General Manager ,Project And Finance
v. Assistant Controller-Finance & Accounts
Additionally, an in-house Project Management Team of PIDB consists of technical, financial and legal experts whereas
the external executing agencies (administrative departments) of Punjab Government look after Implementation of the
projects conceptualized and developed by PIDB. The Project Management Team comprises of the following:-
i. Technical Advisor
ii. General Manager (Project And Finance)
iii. Technical Committee:
Technical Committee(s) (also called sub-sectoral committees) which comprises of the representatives of PIDB
and the concerned Administrative Department

4.3.3 Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority / Amritsar Development Authority
Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority is a statutory body established in July 1995 under Punjab Regional
and Town Planning and Development Act 1995 (PRTPDA) under Section 3 which says after the commencement of
this Act, the State Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, establish for the purposes of
carrying out the functions assigned to it under this Act, a Board to be called the Punjab Regional and Town
Planning and Development Board. It is the apex institution governing the development of balanced urban growth
in the State of Punjab and is committed to provide planned residential, commercial and industrial spaces incorporating
the latest state of the art technology and town planning norms. It was founded with a vision to achieve a rational,
integrated, comprehensive and orderly development in Punjab by improving the planning, development, management
and delivery capacities of the urban centres.
Its key objectives are:
i. Carrying out integrated planning and physical development of declared urban areas.
ii. Formulating and submitting development plans, including capital investment plans.
iii. Undertaking the execution of development projects and schemes.
iv. Formulating and implementing urban land use policy.
v. Developing environmental standards and preparing schemes for the environmental improvement of
urban areas.
vi. Providing technical planning services.
vii. Preparation and implementation of regional Plans, Master plans, New Township Plans and Town
Improvement Schemes.
viii. Promoting research and development of new techniques in City planning, Urban Development and
Housing Construction.
ix. To promote and secure better planning and development of the state.
Out of the above listed objectives, objectives 4, 5, 7 and 8 support the concern for the historic environment
containing both natural and cultural resources and hence the quality of life of the inhabitants.
Figure 4-10: Hierarchy of authorities involved in the preparation of the Master Plan ; Source - As told by Mr Benu Prasad, Secretary-
Dept of Housing and Urban Development to CRCI
During 2006-07 six regional development authorities have been established for planning & development of areas in
their respective jurisdiction. The Amritsar Development Authority (ADA) is the regional development authority for
Amritsar. It works on long term strategic plans, as well as detailed local-area plans, for physical development, and then
co-coordinating and guiding the efforts to bring these plans to reality. The broad scope of functionality of all regional
authorities falls outside the Municipal Corporation limits. Within the Municipal Corporation limits, the Authority has a
mandate to design, develop, re-structure and beautify those urban estates, which have not been handed over to MCA.
The current bye laws of the city for ‘non Municipal Corporation Areas’ but within the LPA have been prepared
and implemented by ADA. Those operational within the walled city and others which are outside it but within
the Municipal Areas are prepared and enforced by the MCA. The Master Plan recognizes the need to develop
a separate set of bye laws for the walled city and preparation of building guidelines for heritage zones6.
Chief Minister/
Chairman
Housing & UD
Minister
Chief Secretary
PS, Housing & PS to Chief Town Chief

PS, PS, Local
Urban Chief Planner, Administrator
Finance Govt
Development Minister Punjab ADA
Additional Chief
Administrator
Three Non-officiating
Members to be nominated Estate Officer
by the Govt
Divisional Engineer (3)

PE, PH, ELE
Accounts Officer
4.3.4 Archaeological Survey of India: Chandigarh Circle

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1862; an institution which protects more than 3650 ancient
monuments and archaeological sites and remains of ‘national significance’, all across India. The organization started
with an approach of preserving historic buildings and sites as an archaeological ruin on as-is-where-is-basis; a simple act
of protection, passive conservation and regular maintenance.
The philosophy followed by ASI was greatly influenced by the British view of Indian architecture and archaeological
sites as ‘picturesque’ and ‘romantic’; to preserve these as archaeological ruins based on the philosophy of Society for
6 The Master Plan identifies 3 Heritage Zones

Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). This philosophy advocates minimum tampering and intervention, considered
enough to arrest/ retard decay with work most carried out by civil engineers and archaeologists. Recently, ASI has
notified the National Policy for Conservation, 2014 which provides for a more relevant outlook towards the gamut of
issues and opportunities faced by a historic site in the 21st century.
‘Nationally protected’ monuments and sites are maintained and preserved through various ‘circle offices’ of the ASI
established in various parts of the country. Chandigarh Circle was formed in the year 1985 to include monuments of
Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. There are 30 sites protected under ASI in Punjab and managed by the
Chandigarh Circle, out of which one site - the Rambgah Garden- is situated within Amritsar.
The notified Master Plan takes cognisance of the Rambagh Garden as having been declared as an ancient
monument under section 4 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 as per
notification issued by the Govt. of India in 2004 (Refer Volume IV: Annexures for more details). The Master
Plan further states that as per this act, the area of 3 kanals 2 marlas has been transferred in the name of
Archaeological Survey of India. Further to this, as per notification no. 1764 date 16-06-1992 issued by the Govt.
of India, the Central Government has declared area up to 100 meters as prohibited area from the protected
limits of the monument in all directions and in addition 200 meters as the regulated area beyond the prohibited
area in order to regulate and rationalize the growth and development around these monuments.
4.3.5 Department of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museum

The Department of Cultural Affairs is headed by Principal Secretary followed by Secretary and Director. The officers
are empowered to regulate the functioning of various wings as part of organizational structure of the department. The
Director controls the finance wing which procures the proposals of each of the other wings and prepares a consolidated
proposal for sanction of funds.
The department has Cultural Affairs and Archives as two main divisions where the Cultural Affairs department has a
spread out structure including the Archaeology Wing, Cultural Branch, Museum Wing, art Branch, Conservation Branch
and Chemical Branch. The Archaeology wing is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of 67 monuments
protected under the Punjab Ancient and Historical Monuments & Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1964. The
Act was enacted interlaid to provide for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites
and remains other than those of national importance and for the regulation of archaeological excavations.
Figure 4-11 Overall structure of Department of Cultural Affairs and Museums

The functions of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Museums are listed below:
i. Prepares project proposals and seeks approval from the Department of Finance
ii. Develops concept proposals for the identified projects.
iii. Prepares Expression of Interests for appointment of Consultants at national level for preparation of Detailed
Project Reports and Tender documents
iv. Supervises the Tendering process, assessment of Technical Bids, Financial Bids and appointment of Consultant
v. The projects are implemented by the Punjab Public Works Department (PWD), who is the nodal agency to
approve designs, tenders and estimates prepared by the consultants and oversees the work of the contractors.
vi. Acts as the nodal agency for the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) and in the capacity
of the competent authority monitors the construction activity in the buffer zones of the centrally protected
monuments in state as per the AMSAR Act 2010.
Legal and Institutional Linkages between DCAM and planning agencies

It has been noted that coordination for conservation and development of infrastructure around heritage sites between
the main public sector agency - the Department of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums (State Department of
Archaeology) with the multiple owners (public sector agencies) such as local government, Public Works Department,
Department of Education, Department of Irrigation, etc.) is extremely limited. This makes it even harder to affect their
conservation, appropriate maintenance and management. The existing consciousness towards heritage sensitive
development and skills within these agencies is extremely weak. They are unable to influence existing regulations relating
to the physical planning resulting in loss of values of the heritage resource.
For instance, the identification of heritage sites incorporated in the Master plan developed by Amritsar
Development Authority is not based on a comprehensive list, and is not a notified list of buildings either with
/ by the Local government or the DCAM. The guidelines for development around heritage sites are yet to be
formulated. The areas within the walled city as well as along the circular road in Amritsar have the presence of several
communities who are the bearers of rich intangible cultural heritage. The Master Plan has not delineated areas for the
development of Town Development Schemes for these areas, though the town plan act has provisions for the same.
Challenges exist in the area of traffic management for the inner city due to the high visitation to the Golden Temple.
Amritsar is an important market city which too leads to the generation of high intercity and intra city traffic. Impact
assessment studies are not undertaken for projects of infrastructure up gradation to ascertain the impact of such projects
on the environment and attributes of cultural significance to which Amritsar owes its tangible character and cultural
meaning.
4.3.6 Department of Tourism

The objectives of the Department of Tourism are towards promotion & development of tourism in the state of Punjab.
Its functions are:
i. Education and capacity building in the hospitality sector

ii. Develop tourism destinations and circuits in the State of Punjab by provision of infrastructure, conservation
of monuments, up gradation of the setting around the heritage sites
iii. To promote Rural Tourism in rural areas and develop participatory tourism models.

Figure 4-12Organization Structure of Department of Tourism
The department mainly works with Department of Cultural Affairs, as primary caretakers of built heritage while its
engagement with the local government, the Municipal Corporation which is the key administrative head of the city and
owner of public assets, including heritage sites is extremely limited. This is a very critical lacunae in the management
system.
4.3.7 Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board

The Punjab Heritage & Tourism Promotion Board was set up vide Government of Punjab Notification
No.12/108/2002-3TC/1490 dated 14-8-2002 and was subsequently registered as a Public Charitable Trust on 5-12-
2002 through a Deed of Declaration. Objectives of the Board are to:
i. develop tourism destinations in the state and promote tourism and,
ii. conserve and revitalize heritage buildings and sites
Its key functions are:
i. Undertake implementation of projects for development of tourism destinations

ii. Undertake projects related to conservation and restoration of heritage sites (protected and unprotected).
iii. Empanel conservation architects
iv. Empanel contractors for implementation of projects
v. PHTPB conducts the tendering process to engage consultants to prepare DPRs for proposed projects and
selects contractors for the implementation of the projects.
vi. Undertake technical review of the DPRs and estimates presented by the Consultant
vii. Check bills of the consultants and contractors and releases funds
viii. Liaison with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Figure 4-13 Members and Committees of PHTPB
After having observed the working of the Board during the first five years of its functioning the Government was of
the view that certain amendments needed to be made in the composition of the various organs of the Board and in the
powers and functions assigned to them. It was also felt that the working of the Board needed to be regulated by framing
By-laws. Hence the By-laws were framed as Punjab Heritage & Tourism Promotion Board Bylaws, 2008.
The Master Plan reports on the activities being undertaken by Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board
as the body associated with Department of Cultural Affairs and Archaeology and that of Department of
Tourism in heritage conservation and infrastructure development projects for development of attractions for
tourists. The information is very limited and it is evident that the interventions in the area of cultural heritage
conservation and infrastructure development is not informed by holistic assessment from the city level
planning perspective. For instance the Rambagh gate conservation as well as that of the Town Hall are
properties of MCA though the needs of these projects are not integrated at the area level/ city level plans.
4.3.8 Public Works Department (B & R)

Public Works Department (Buildings and Roads) is a premier agency of the State Government for construction, up
gradation and maintenance of roads, buildings and bridges in the State. The department also acts as the technical advisor
to the State Government in all aspects of construction activity. From its inception in 1854, Public Works Department
(Buildings and Roads) has been endeavouring to provide technical lead to other departments of the State Government
by introducing latest construction techniques and materials, so as to achieve higher standards. Public Works
department has been maintaining material database and has standardized the Specifications, Common Schedule
of Rates, Confidential analysis etc. for adoption by all other departments, Boards and Corporations of the State Govt.
The Department of Public Works has been divided into three main sections which are Building and Roads, Public
Health Wing and Architecture Wing on the basis of their functions. The Public Health wing has been changed to
Department of Water Supply and Sanitation.

Figure 4-14 Main divisions of the PWD

Source: www.punjabgovt.gov.in

Figure 4-15: Organization Structure of Department of of Public Works (B& R)

Source: Mr. Randhir Singh, S.D.E. Patiala
The PWD (B&R) has been entrusted by the state Government to undertake primarily the following tasks as
Construction & Maintenance of New Roads & Bridges, Design, Construction & Maintenance of Govt. buildings,
Undertaking Deposit Contribution works relating to different Departments of Govt. of Punjab as well as of other Local
Bodies, Fixation of rent of Private premises requisitioned for housing Govt. offices, Designs, construction, maintenance
and repairs of runway relating to the Aviation Department, Development of Parks and Gardens in the vicinity of
important Public Buildings and landscaping of grounds, Reservation of Govt. Rest Houses and Circuit Houses. Parts
of projects taken up by Department of Tourism such as roads, pavements and construction of new structures
is entrusted upon the Public Works Department. Projects for the improvement of the principal road leading
to Sri Harimandir Sahib in the walled city has also been entrusted upon the PWD. The department however
does not have the skill sets for heritage sensitive planning and design development. Guidelines for the same
have also not been prepared by the department to achieve the overall objective of heritage sensitive
development.

4.3.9 Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training (Skills Development

Programmes)
Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training (PSBTE & IT) is an autonomous statutory authority
created under The Punjab State Board of Technical Education & Industrial Training 1992 Act for regulating and
controlling academic standards in institutes of Technical Education, conducting admission processes and examinations
in Polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes located in the state of Punjab and Chandigarh. The Department
looks after 82 Engineering colleges and 92 Polytechnics and 25 Pharmacy (Exclusive) institutions and 180
Industrial Training institutes including the ones in the private sector. Total sanctioned intake of about 17640
engineers, 44800 diploma holders. Punjab Technical University (PTU), under Department of Technical Education and
Industrial Training, has a mandate to set up institutes for training and capacity building including ITIs and Polytecnics
across Punjab.
Figure 4-16: Organizational Structure of PSBTE & IT; Source: www.dtepunjab.gov.in
Skill Development Initiative Scheme and Public Private Partnership (PPP) are the two initiatives taken by the ITIs to
further improve the quality of training for catering to the changing needs of the industry. Memoranda of Understanding
have been signed by Industrial Training Institutes and the industry so as to ensure that the training of provided in these
institutions are of the type and standards required in the industry.

Table 4-2 Schemes under National Vocational Training Systems

4.3.10 Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT)
The Amritsar Improvement Trust was constituted in 1949 and functions under the Town Improvement Act, 1922
(Punjab Act IV of 1922), amended in 1983. It is led by a chairperson and consists of a board of directors as its
administrative head. The Trust’s aim was to develop and provide residential and commercial plots, flats, booths, SCO's
etc to the people of Amritsar, however, this mandate appears to have broadened to general infrastructure development
as well as is evident in their various works currently being undertaken, including construction of multi-storey parking at
Durgiana Temple as part of a beautification project and strengthening and widening of roads.
Since 1949, the Trust has acquired 3300 acres of land and developed 77 Nos. of Residential/ Commercial/ Schemes. It
functions by acquiring land, developing it and then handing it over to the MCA/ government. Out of 77 Schemes, 45
Schemes have been transferred to the MCA after completion i.e. after providing all basic amenities such as roads, water
supply and sewerage, parks, street lights etc.
The trust also undertakes redevelopment in historic areas such as in the walled city. In the absence of
guidelines for undertaking ‘improvements’ within the walled city based on a shared vision outline of which
has been articulated in the Master Plan, the historic footprint of the walled city is in danger of being lost.
Figure 4-17: Branches in the Amritsar Improvement Trust

Source: http://www.amritsarimprovementtrust.org/contactus.htm

4.3.11 Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)
SGPC is responsible for the upkeep of gurudwaras, Sikh places of worship in three states of Punjab, Haryana and
Himachal Pradesh and union territory of Chandigarh. It also administers Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar.
SGPC has a chairman, treasurer and general secretary. It is directly elected by an electorate of the Sikh Nation, male and
female above 18 years of age who are registered as voters under the provisions of Sikh Gurudwara Act 1925. This act
enables SGPC to control all the Historical Gurudwaras as well as gurudwaras under Section 87 of this act. The elections
to SGPC are held every five years.
SGPC maintains all the physical, financial, religious aspects of gurudwaras and keep archeologically precious and sacred
things belonging to the Sikh Gurus, which include weapons, clothes, books, and writings of Sikh Gurus.
In a recent initiative of SGPC, though maybe considered as a well meaning intervention, a plot of land has been
developed as a ten storied building as accommodation for the pilgrims to Sri Harimandir Sahib thus flouting the existing
building norms. This plot is adjacent to the Saragarhi Gurdwara which is on the Phuwara chowk (near the Town Hall).
These changes in height thereby increase the density of use- If continued to be used by other plots in the walled city
would choke the infrastructure (water supply, sewerage, road etc). Buildings of this height if built in the immediate
setting of the Golden temple would change the skyline and overlook the inner enclosure of the sacred site thereby create
visual disharmony. SGPC requires to consider provision of ‘off shore’ infrastructure for visitors and use of dedicated
public transport to bring pilgrims to the sacred site and demonstrate good practice towards ‘quietening’ the environs of
Sri Harimandir Sahib through traffic management and building activities , a recommendation in the Master Plan.
4.3.12 Shree Durgiana Management Committee
Durgiana Temple, and buildings within the complex boundary are managed and maintained by the Shree Durgiana
Management Committee, also referred to as Shree Durgiana Committee (Regd). According to their website, the
Committee additionally provides various social services including:
i. Shree Lakshmi Narayan Ayurvedic College & Hostel being run by the society prepares students for B.A.M.S. degree,
and is affiliated to Baba Farid University of medical sciences, Faridkot.
ii. At The Sanskrit College, students are imparted education in Sanskrit language and literature free of cost. Even
stipends, free boarding and lodging are borne by the Durgiana Management Committee.
iii. Shree Lakshmi Narain stitching school provides free training to widows towards skills development.
iv. The temple also offers night shelter to the pilgrims at the Shrimati Dhanwant Kaur Dharamshala built within the
temple periphery. A renovated Sant niwas is also built to accommodate katha vachaks and their disciples.
v. Langar is served everyday at the Langar Bhavan within the temple extents.
4.3.13 Department of Irrigation
The Department of Irrigation looks after all water bodies and sources of water. Modern and historic/ traditional water
sources and their immediate vicinity are owned and managed by the Department. This includes the Upper Badi Doab
Canal (UBDC) and its surroundings. UBDC along with others represent colonial period and natural heritage
of Amritsar and reveal the story of sourcing water for the city over the years. In light of the depleting ground
water levels of Amritsar and thus, the critical significance of protection and conservation of water resources
in a rapidly developing city, it would be regretful if city plans would not engage with the need for protection

of natural resources in its proposals for sustainable urban development. It is, noteworthy that the Department
of Irrigation has within its structure two wings which specifically work towards research and development for
sustainable systems- the Water Resources wing and DIPR.
The Department of Irrigation is headed by the Irrigation Minister, Punjab. The various sections under the Department
include:
i. Canal Administration
The Canal Administration is primarily responsible for operation and maintenance of a very well developed and
widespread 14500 Kms long canal system and 5 Head Works. The main objective of the administration is to
develop, plan, utilize and manage this important resource for irrigation in a judicious, equitable, sustainable and
sound economic manner. An Act to regulate irrigation, namely ‘Northern India Canal and Drainage Act, 1873 has
been enacted for this purpose.
ii. Drainage Administration

The drainage administration has created infrastructure of about 1800 Kms. long flood protection embankments,
3800 Nos. River Training Works and 7200 Km long drainage network for proper drainage of rain water to save
the agriculture land from fury of floods and to check the water logging in the water logged areas. The length of
various rivers Embankment thereof falling in Punjab State are as below:
iii. Water Resources Organisation

Water Resources Organisation is primarily entrusted with Research and Development activities relating to ground
water and surface water. Various activities being undertaken by this organisation are Ground Water monitoring,
collection of ground water data, preparations of various maps to depict ground water level fluctuations, ground
water investigations dynamic ground water estimation, collection and storage of rainfall data and surface water
data, up-gradation of hydro meteorological and surface water observation sites in Punjab State. In addition to this,
this organisation also deals with framing of policy matters like ground water legislation, state water policy and other
matters relating to water resources referred by Government from time to time.

iv. Lining - Main Canals in Punjab

Since both surface as well as ground water resources in the state have already been fully utilised as such the increase
in agricultural production solely depends on the improved efficiency of water use. Significant improvements in the
economy of water use and in the operational efficiency can be achieved by modernisation of existing canal system
which is centuries old. Modernisation of existing canal system by lining is undertaken by this wing.
v. Vigilance Wing
The Vigilance wing of Irrigation Department was set up in 1977 with SE rank officer who was designated as Chief
Technical Examiner. The work of this whole team is to check the field work at any stage. This type of procedure
already existed in CPWD.
vi. Planning Administration

The basic duty of Planning Administration is to prepare Annual Plan, Five Year Plan of all the Plan Schemes of
Irrigation Department of Punjab. The secondary duties are to investigate / prepare physical Project Report /
Estimate, to investigate and formulate Irrigation Hydel Generation Schemes and to make a systematic evaluation
of the completed projects and to evolve suitable guidelines for planning of new projects as well as for improvement
of Projects already in operation and Chief Engineer / Planning is also working as Chairman of Punjab
Condemnation Board.
The Planning Administration has three Cells:
 Project Circle.
 Evaluation Directorate.
 Project coordination.
vii. DIPR Administration

The DIPR Administration of the Department of Irrigation is particularly noteworthy as its mandate is to provide
opportunity for education and research in the sector by way of institutions. Its two main institutions- both based
in Amritsar- are:
 Irrigation & Power Research Institute, Punjab, Amritsar (IPRI)

 Punjab Irrigation Management & Training Institute, Amritsar(PIMTI)
Irrigation & Power Research Institute: The objective of IPRI is to undertake Research Investigations pertaining to
Basic & Fundamental Research Studies on a number of subject relating to Foundation Engineering, Concrete
Technology, Hydraulics Model Studies, Land Reclamation, Hydrology & Groundwater etc. This Institute also accepts
works on deposit basis at very nominal costs & provides consultancy regarding model testing & other analytical facilities
in the field as well as in Laboratories to various Government, Semi-Government & Private Organizations in Punjab,
adjoining states & other Private agencies.
Organizational Set-up: The Irrigation & Power Research Institute has Nine Research Divisions including Hydraulics
Division No. I, Hydraulics Division No. II, Concrete Technology Division, Geotechnical Division, Chemistry Division,
Reclamation & Soil Survey, Physics Division, Hydrology & Ground Water, Mathematics Division.
Punjab Irrigation Management & Training Institute: Punjab state is an agricultural state contributing food & fiber
to the nation’s food grain reserve. To achieve this Land & water resources of the State have been utilized to the near
maximum limits. The surface water allocated is all utilized & is not sufficient to meet the needs of the high yielding
crops. To meet with the water requirement of the crops even sub-surface water is being exploited to near maximum

value in the sweet water zone of Punjab & the water level is falling at an alarming rate because of more abstraction than
recharge.
Keeping the above in view, the only resource available to increase food production is that both the resources i.e. land
& water be conserved & used most efficiently & judiciously. To achieve this, water management is required particularly
below the irrigation outlet point. To meet the above requirement, Punjab Irrigation & Management Training Institute
(PIMTI) has been set up in the premises of Irrigation & Power Research Institute under the World Bank Aided “Punjab
Irrigation and Drainage Project Phase-II, during the year, 1991-92. The objective of the PIMTI is to impart training to
in service engineers & the new entrants in the Irrigation Department, Punjab, from Junior Engineer level to Executive
Engineer level including Irrigation Booking Clerks, Ziledar etc. through the refresher courses on different disciplines
relating to irrigation.
Others with project specific mandates (not related to Amritsar though) are:
viii. Kandi Area Development

ix. Shahpurkandi Dam Design
x. Ranjit Sagar Dam
xi. Ranjit Sagar Dam Design
4.3.14 Department of Horticulture
The Department of Horticulture is responsible for parks and open areas not owned and managed by the Horticulture
Wing of the Municipal Corporation.
4.3.15 Other relevant stakeholders
Punjab Roadways
Prime land for potential infrastructure development in the vicinity the Gobindgarh Fort is owned by Punjab Roadways.
Discussions at the 2nd CLAMC meeting for HRIDAY in Amritsar have revealed that city authorities appreciate the
ongoing project to relocate the city bus stand further away from congested areas of the inner city and have also
previously considered relocation of the Punjab Roadways workshop to the same location or a similar appropriate
location. (Refer Volume IV: Annexures for more details )
Ministry of Railways
The Master Plan highlights that the current route of the railway line physically divides the city across critically affecting
traffic movement in Amritsar. It further recommends the need to improve mobility across through provision of ROBs
and RUBs. The Ministry of Railways is the nodal authority for building permissions around the railway line, often also
responsible for funding and implementation of infrastructure development on owned land.
Military Board
The Gobindgarh Fort was handed over to the civilian government (Government of Punjab) by the Ministry of Defense.
An area of approximately 43 acres was carved out of the land of the Military Board. The need for special area
development plans for this heritage zone delineated in the Master Plan requires dialogue with the Military board to
ensure that development of buildings within the Military Board also respects the protection of the heritage character of
this zone.
4.4 Review of proposed and ongoing projects
Based on the stakeholder consultations, desk review of the Master Plan 2031, proposed projects and the ongoing works
have been mapped on the city plan of Amritsar. These projects were commissioned by the State Government for
development and up gradation of existing infrastructure such as road improvement, drainage and sewerage
improvements, tourists facilities in Amritsar and executed by multiple line agencies.
The details of the projects as mentioned in the following section are based on desk review of the primary
and secondary data collected from data received from multiple departments and the City Mission
Directorate of Amritsar.

4.4.1 Tourism and Culture
In order to develop Amritsar as a multi site tourism destination and to showcase it as a city of diverse cultural narratives,
several projects for conservation of heritage and provision of infrastructure development around heritage sites and
related to tourist needs have been undertaken for over two decades. The number of projects and scale of investment
in heritage increased many folds since 2005. The Master Plan recognizes some key projects which are listed
below:
i. Tourist Information Centres at Ram Bagh, Golden Temple and Qila Gobindgarh.
ii. Starting a train service from Amritsar on the pattern of Palace on Wheels covering the important tourist
destinations in the region.
iii. Conservation and upgradation of gates of the walled city namely Lahori Gate, Gate Hakima, Hathi Gate, Hall
Gate, Khazana Gate, and Sultanwind Gate
iv. Conservation of the Ram Bagh Gate
v. Building of a Heritage Village in Guru Nanak Dev University in an area of 10 acres.
vi. Conservation and Adaptive reuse of the Town Hall building as a city museum
vii. Conservation and adaptive reuse of Gobindgarh Fort as a multi facility heritage node.
viii. Light and Sound programme in Jallianwala Bagh.
ix. Beautification of surroundings of Durgiana Temple
x. Creating additional parking space at Wagha Border in an area of 10 acres for facilitating the tourists (under
construction).
xi. Renovation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh building at Pul Kanjri and conservation of the Samadhi of Sham Singh
Atari cultural heritage sites
xii. Starting specialized course in tourism for creating appropriate level of trained manpower
xiii. A Food Street in the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, near Rambagh garden.
xiv. Development of Plaza shall be set up in front of Golden Temple by shifting Ghanta Ghar Market to the newly
constructed shopping complex in front of Shani Mandir.
xv. Conservation and beautification of Jallianwala Bagh with conservation of Historical walls and Well and the
Visitors Facilitation Centre, Light and Sound Programme.
xvi. Landscaping and up-gradation of Rambagh Garden including conservation of Summer Palace and Civil
Defence
xvii. Galiara Beautification Project around Golden temple has been completed.
xviii. Improvement of Virsa Vihar Cultural Centre
Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board is proactively promoting development cultural heritage tourism in
Punjab, although the focus is more on built heritage, the stories of war and strife and less on the syncretic tradition of
the State. The major schemes and works taken up are development of Mughal Sarais, religious and princely states and
developing freedom movement tourist circuits. One of the major activities that Punjab Tourism has taken up is publicity
of its major assets. Brochures are being published and are available at the Information Centres. Apart from literature
highlighting various historical and religious sites, information booklets on festivals and fairs in the State are also being
provided. The Department as part of its policy is presently focusing on religious, culture and heritage tourism in
Amritsar. Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board also conducts two Amritsar Heritage Walks. One for the
‘Panch Sarovar’ is free, while the mixed heritage trail within the walled city is charged at nominal rates of Rs. 25 for
Indian citizens and Rs. 75 for foreigners. The department has inducted four guides, though at the time of survey only
two seemed to be functional. The issues of chaotic traffic, unhygienic sanitary conditions and lack of basic infrastructure
along the trail, audio-guiding facilities while conducting the trail were brought forth as impediments by the guides and

officials. Also, the need for developing more trails like the ‘Craft Walk and Food Safari’ are being developed by the
department to encourage exploring more facets of the city by the visitors.
There is enormous potential of leveraging on existing tourist flow and enhance visitor stay by promoting cultural tourism
showcasing the state’s rich heritage of tangible and intangible resources. The synchronization of the multiple sectors in
the area of cultural heritage- i.e. built heritage, crafts and performing arts- would not only provide a complete tourism
experience for the visitor, but would also revive the community’s heritage resources.
Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums

Project
SN Project Name Cost (in Project Scope and Status
Crore)
1 Interpretation Centre, Amritsar 54.00* One of 3 interpretation centres proposed in the city. This will
be located in the basement of the newly constructed forecourt
to the Golden Temple.
*The project cost includes consultancy fees. Agreement signed
with the agency by Cultural Affairs Dept. on 20-7-2015 and the
work is likely to start soon. Concept Plan Submitted.
2 War Memorial, Amritsar:- 130.00 Payment Released for 38.00 cr funded by Defence Services
1. Civil Works Welfare Department.
GoI has been approached to fund Rs. 10.00 Cr. under the
relevant scheme of Ministry of Culture "Up gradation of the
existing museums in the State".
Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board

Several projects are being undertaken by PHTPB in Amritsar with funding provided from various sources. The table
below lists ongoing, proposed and some recently completed projects, their scope and status along with project funding
and source of funding.
Information makes clear that sizeable funding is being provided by the Asian Development Bank as part of the
Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism (IDIPT) through a loan to the Government of Punjab
towards conservation and development of heritage assets in the city. A large portion of these funds are dedicated to the
Gobindgarh Fort. Project proposals for Gobindgarh can be seen as focused towards comprehensive conservation,
development and adaptive re-use of the entire fort, which is in line with works proposed as part the Conservation,
Management and Re-use plan prepared for the Fort in 2010 for PHTPB. Such comprehensive development initiatives
will undoubtedly lead to the creation/revitalisation of a significant heritage asset in the city. Infrastructure development
recommendations in the CHP take cognisance of this and the subsequent projected visitation and tourist footfall to the
site and its surrounding area.
Project Cost
SN Project Name Project Scope and Status
(in Crore)
1. Construction of Heritage Village in GNDU, 14.70 Joint Venture, M/s Heritage Lawns Pvt.
Amritsar. Ltd has been selected as the Private
Govt. of Partner for operation & maintenance of
Punjab: 7.50 Cr the Heritage Village by PIDB @ Rs.1.96
Govt. of India: crores annually.
6.54 Cr. They will commence the public
operations by 01st Jan 2016.

2. Works under 13th Finance Commission 6.00 Work allotted to contractor for (Sr. No. i
Conservation of Keeler Gate and ii) 40% completed. Likely to be
Conservation of rampart wall between South completed by December 2015.
West Bastion & Keeler Gate
Conservation of Mandir
Conservation & Management Plan of South
West Bastion.
3. Conservation of Ram Bagh Garden, Phase-II Work allotted to contractor on 12-06-

Conservation & Refurbishment of Maharaja 2015. Likely to be completed by
Ranjit Singh's Summer Palace 1.16 December 2015.
Conservation & Refurbishment of Civil Work allotted to contractor on 25-5-2015.

Defence Deori 0.27 Likely to be completed by November
2015.
Over and above this, the Museum will be

undertaken under the IDIPT ADB
funded project of Tranche III (see ahead for
more details)
4. Conservation of Town Hall Amritsar 1.41 Present work is in progress. Physical

Phase-II shall start after shifting of Municipal (Phase-I) progress of work is 95%. Contractor has
Corporation Office. Govt. of India been asked to complete the work by 30th
September 2015.
5. Tourist Reception Centre, Attari 5.71 (Ministry Work is under progress, 67% completed.
of Home Likely to be completed by 30th Nov.
Affairs) 2015.
6. Restoration/Improvement of Façade of 36.37 Sanction from Ministry of Tourism
Shops/Buildings both sides of road from Hall Govt of India received. Rs. 6.72 Cr. available for Phase-1
Gate to Golden Temple Plaza. (Sikh Circuit) of this project.
1st Phase (Golden Temple to Town Hall) Tender for the Phase -1 (Façade
2nd Phase (Restoration of Heritage Buildings Improvement of Buildings from Golden
and vercunar façade) Temple to Town Hall Amritsar) work
3rd Phase (Town Hall to Hall Gate) invited and will be opened on 16th Sept.
4th Phase (Town Hall to Pink Plaza) 2015.
7. Road Improvement from Hall gate to Darbar Rs.40.00 Crore Work to be executed by MC, Amritsar.
Sahib, Amritsar PWD under Tender would be floated by next week
relevant and work to be allotted in the
scheme/Local 1st week of October.
Govt (MCA
and PSPCL)
Works under ADB Project Asian All projects of Tranche – 1 are under
Tranche -1 Development implementation
Bank
8. Conservation and structural stabilization - 0.8376 Conservation/Restoration of NE Bastion
Gobindgarh Fort, Lot 1 (NE Bastion and and a small stretch of outer moat wall
Outer Moat Walls) # Consolidation of Brick work
#Repair
#Replastering
#Roofing
9. Conservation and structural stabilization - 0.9692 Conservation/Restoration of Northern

Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar- Lot 2 (Northern Cells, Eastern Cells, Inner Gate, Inner
Cells, Eastern Cells, Inner Gate, Inner Moat moat wall
Wall) # Consolidation of Brick work
#Repair
#Replastering
10. Conservation and structural stabilization - 0.7330 Devegetation & Plinth Protection of Moat
Gobindgarh Fort, Lot 3 (Moat)
11. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings for 0.8769 Conservation/Restoration of Entrance
interpretation and visitor facilities at Gate and Detention
Gobindgarh fort, Amritsar # Structural repairs
Lot 1: Entrance Gate, Detention Centre #Consolidation of Brick work
#Repair
#Replastering
#Roofing
#Reuse of Detention Centre
12. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings for 0.8195 Conservation/Restoration of Nalwa Gate
interpretation and visitor facilities at and Stable
Gobindgarh fort, Amritsar # Structural repairs
Lot 2: Nalwa Gate, Stable #Consolidation of Brick work
#Repair
#Replastering
#Roofing
13. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings - 1.5426 Conservation/Restoration of Darbar Hall
Gobindgarh fort, Lot 3 (Darbar Hall) # Structural repairs
#Consolidation of Brick work
#Repair
#Replastering
#Roofing
14. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings - 1.1488 Conservation/Restoration of Darbar Hall
Gobindgarh fort, Lot 4 (Tosha Khana, Haveli # Structural repairs
/ Coffee House) #Consolidation of Brick work
#Repair
#Replastering
#Roofing
15. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings for 5.8688 Civil and Electrical works for museums at
interpretation and visitor facilities at Toshakhana and Dyer's Bungalow
Gobindgarh fort-Development of Museums
(i) Toshakhana
(ii) Dyer's Bungalow
Lot 1: Civil and Electrical Works including
HVAC
16. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings for 1.5651 Mannequin and Replica works for
interpretation and visitor facilities at museums at Toshakhana and Dyer's
Gobindgarh fort-Development of Museums Bungalow
(i) Toshakhana
Lot 2: Mannequin and Replica works
17. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings for 1.3173 Multimedia harware and software- Supply,
interpretation and visitor facilities at installation and customization for
Gobindgarh fort-Development of Museums museums at Toshakhana and Dyre's
(i) Toshakhana Bungalow

Lot 3: Multimedia harware and software-

Supply, installation and customization
18. Providing infrastructure utilities services at 8.5713 Laying of services such as Sewer Pipes,
Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar rain water pipes, fire fighting, electrical
19. Landscape development in the outer and 3.1725 Landscape of Central core area, Entrance
inner zones of the fort complex and avenue and small stretch of the moat
monument lighting at Gobindgarh Fort - including soft and hardscapes
Landscape Development
20. Development of Tourist Accommodation 2.0249 Conservation/Restoration of South East
(Conservation Only)- Gobindgarh Fort, Bastion, CZ/9, CZ/10
Amritsar #Consolidation of Brick work
#Repair
#Replastering
#Roofing
21. Surface parking near Gobindgarh Fort 5.2211 #Construction of ADMN Block and
Tourist Information Centre
#Site Development
#Parking
22. Provision of multi-dispersed car 21.5722 #Construction of Multi-Storey Parking at
parking areas around walled city Attari
circular road and tourist destinations in
Amritsar -
Parking Facility at Attari
23. Development of Heritage Trails around 0.6864 #Conservation of Façade of four
Amritsar Walled City- Lot1:Façade buildings
development and miscellaneous works of
buildings - (i) Gurudwara Saragarhi Memorial,
(ii) Jalebiwala Building, (iii) Thakurdwara
Darianamal Temple and (iv) Gurudwara
Chowrasti Atari
24. Building infrastructure for vacating the Town 24.3278 # Construction of New Building for
Hall (Construction of New Building for AMC
Amritsar Municipal Corporation)
25. Development of Heritage trails around 0.8699 Price Bid under evaluation.
Amritsar walled city (07 pause points) #Conservation of Façade of seven
buildings and two chowks
26. Landscape development in the outer and 5.3524 Technical bids under evaluation
inner zones of the fort complex and Landscape including softscapes and
monument lighting at Gobindgarh fort- hardscapes and lighting works including
Landscape Development Phase II cabling works for
# 80% of the moat
# Ravelins
# Central zones excluding central core
zone included in Phase I
27. Landscape development in the outer and 4.5580 Technical bids under evaluation
inner zones of the fort complex and Cabling and Monument lighting works in
monument lighting at Gobindgarh Fort - various buildings of GGF, Amritsar
Procurement and Installation of Monument
Lighting
28. GOODS PACKAGES UNDER IDIPT 0.8231
a. Development of heritage trails around
Amritsar walled city
(i) Purchase of Tractor
(ii) Purchase of Pick up truck 4 wheeler
(iii) Purchase of Pick up truck 3 wheeler

(iv) Purchase of Mini Tipper/ Hopper
(v) Purchase of Hydraulic trolley
(vi) Purchase of Water Tanker
(vii) Purchase of Wheel barrow etc.
b. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings for
interpretation and visitor facilities at
Gobindgarh fort, Procurement of Electric /
Vehicles (4-14 seaters)
c. Provision of multi-dispersed car parking
areas around walled city circular road and
tourist destinations in Amritsar - Procurement
of Electric /Vehicles (4-14 seaters)
ADB Tranche 3
29. Conservation at Gobindgarh fort (Lot 1) - Under Procurement

Buildings Conservation, Structural Stabilization and
3.8539 Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings for
Interpretation and Visitor Facilities at
Gobindgarh Fort
30. Conservation at Gobindgarh fort (Lot 2) - Under Implementation
Structures 17.8130 # Conservation of fortification walls,
moat walls, rampart walls, ravelins walls
31. Reuse at Rambagh Palace 10.7700 LoA issued to the contractor on 30-10-
2015
Development of Museum- Mannequins/
Replicas/ CCTV/ Paintings/ Electric
Automation/ Lithographs/ Scenes/
Multimedia Installation/ Air Conditioning
32. Conservation Works at Town Hall Under rebidding. Technical Bid Opening
on 30 Sep 2015
#Conservation work
#Roofing works
5.2628
#Wood work
#Facade Improvement
#Fixing Historical bell
#Elevator
33. Adaptive reuse at Gobindgarh fort #Anglo Sikh Museums
#Hotel
#Exhibition Hall
#Magazine Museum
#Art and Craft Centre
#VIP Rest Room
#Ticket Counter
#Administrative Offices
28.3331
# Souvenir Shops
#Toilets
#Weapon Museum
#Heritage Hotel
# Cafeteria
#Sikh Regiment gallery
#Auditorium Cum Conference Room
#Dining Hall Kitchen
#Children Play Area

#Landscaping
34. Reuse at Town and Conservation Works at 15.9600 # Exhibition Hall
Heritage Walk #Craft Bazar
#City Museum
#Library cum Learning centre
#TIC
#Coffee Shop
#Souvenir Shop
#Multipurpose Hall
4.4.2 PWD (B & R)

The Public Works Department through its Building and Roads Division is currently responsible for around 15 ongoing
projects. These projects are primarily funded by Government of Punjab, with some receiving monies from
ADA/PUDA and one through PIDB. The work is focused towards improving connectivity through upgradation and
building of roads, beautification of chowks and street façade improvement. Building Infrastructure is another major
component being undertaken by PWD, along with work on the forecourt of the Golden Temple.
Additionally, development of a Bus Rapid Transportation System (BRTS) in the city is a major project being undertaken
by PWD- this has been detailed in the next section.
Project Cost
(in Crore)
1. Upgradation of Amritsar-Ajnala Rs. 40.01 Overall 98% work completed except laying of BC on
Road (Sec.) Kitchlu Chowk to Crore service lanes from RD 2150 to 4150 i.e. 2000 Mtr on both
Mirankot). (PIDB) side. Finishing & painting work is in progress.
2. Construction of 4 laning of Rs. 36.40 Over all 98% work completed except 500 mtr interlocking
Amritsar Sohian FGC road Crore tiles and painting work.
(KM 2.23 to 6.75) (Length 4.52 (ADA)
KM).
3. 4-laning of Amritsar Majitha Rs. 81.33 Overall 63% work completed detail is as under:-
Fatehgarh Churian Road. Crore 1) DBM RD 9500 to 16600 RHS and 14000 to 16600 LHS
(MDR-64). (ADA) =9700 Mtr has been completed.
Widening work with GSB in ganda nallah RD 9500 to
14000 completed & earth filling in RD 7500 to 9500
under progress.
2) Construction of side drain (RHS) from RD 7500 to
16600 & from RD 12000 to 16700 (LHS) = 13300 Mtr
completed, remaining 6900 Mtr length is in progress.
3) Bridge work at RD 6800, 3 span completed on LHS and
work in on RHS in progress.
4. Construction of ROB on Rs.108.78
Amritsar Tarn Taran Sirhali Crore
Harike road Amritsar Tarn
Taran Sirhali Harike Road NH-
15 (Sec. KM 112.00 to 112.950)
5. Shifting of existing Central Jail, Rs.132.00 86% Work completed remaining is in progress.
Amritsar. Crore
The existing Central Jail is to be PUDA
shifted to new premises to be
constructed in Village Fatehpur

in 67 Acres scheme of
Improvement Trust, Amritsar.
6. Construction of New District Rs.74.23 1) Work already commenced and the physical progress of
Administrative Complex at Crore the work is 45%.
Amritsar. PUDA 2) Slab casting of 2nd floor of DAC in progress, Column
The project cost is Rs.74.25 casting for 3rd floor in progress.
Crore which is being funded by 3) Column of basement & slab erection of Police wing is
PUDA. in progress.
7. Construction of Entry Gate at Rs. 7.39 Crore Overall 80% work completed, the detail is as under:-
G.T. Road, Amritsar along with 1) Erection of super structure SP1 member & 4 No.
landscaping from entry gate to Gumbad are in progress at site.
Bhandari Bridge. 2) Cup & lock shuttering for erection of super structure is
in progress.
8. Landscaping work on 8-lane 2.74 crore Plantation of Date Palm Trees and ground covers has been
road from Entrance Gate on PIDB completed. Remaining work is in progress.
NH1 crossing Tarawala Bridge
to Bhandari Bridge.
9. Construction of War Memorial- Rs. 86.00 Overall progress is 48%, remaining work is in progress
cum Museum at Sham Singh (Sainik detail is as under:-
Attari Chowk, Amritsar. Welfare 1.Truss work completed, Brick portion internal cement
Deptt.) concrete road in basement in progress, work of services of
finishing of Galleries held-up as exhibits has not been
final.
2.Vista work in progress
3. Court case against Irrigation Deptt. Is pending with high
court regarding acquisition of land 8 kanal 5 marlas. Court
has issued the stay order till next decision.
10. Furnishing works of basement Rs. 82.00 Overall progress 4%. Remaining work is in progress.
of Plaza at Main Entrance of crores
Sri Harimandir Sahib at
Amritsar except 4 halls
(Interpretation centre)
11. Beautification & Improvement Rs. 2.66 Crore Work allotted to M/s P.K.Verma & Co.
of Chowk Shaheedan on (ADA)
Amritsar Tarn Taran Sirhali
Harike Road.
12. Development of Circuit House Rs. 22.56 Overall progress 13%.
Building, Amritsar on PPP crore 1) Column erected upto slab level is in progress.
mode.
13. Bhagwan Valmik Tirath Sthal, Rs. 181.30 The work progress is
Amritsar Crores 62%. An amount of Rs. 80.00 Crores has been released to
i. Development work on the Administrative the Executing Agency.
Bhagwan Valmik Tirath Sthal at approval given
Amritsar on 30.12.2013 There is an unauthorized occupant on 4 Kanal. The case
of disputed 4 Kanal has been decided in the favour of
ii. Transfer of 8 Acres of the unauthorized occupants Chanan Singh on dated
land of Village Kaler in the 11.11.2014. Now the appeal has been filed in the Session
name of the Department Court, Amritsar. The next date of hearing is fixed on
14.09.2015 for reply from defendant.
14. Development & Beautification Rs.50.74 Work recently allotted (04.09.2015)
of Roads/ Crossing from Hall Crore
Gate to Golden Temple and
back to Pink Plaza, Amritsar
including shifting of
utilities/services like water
supply, sewer lines, under
grounding
electricity/telephone/
Cable T.V. lines etc.
15. Development & Beautification Rs.84.41 The estimate has been technically vetted by the office of
of Roads and Junctions from Crore Advisor Tech. to Hon’ble CM, Punjab on 7.9.2015
Town Hall to Golden Temple
at Sri Amritsar
Bus Rapid Transportation System

PWD through its B&R division is the nodal agency for development of the BRTS in Amritsar.
Government of Punjab through Punjab Bus Metro Society (PBMS) has taken up the task of implementation of Bus
Rapid Transit System (BRTS) for the cities of Amritsar. It is a JNNRUM sanctioned project on January 21, 2014. The
total cost of the project is 495.54 Crores and includes 35.43 Crores for improvement of Bhandari Bridge, 40.82 Crores
for VerkaRoB and 127.67 Crores for elevated BRTS corridors as major components. Cost of ITS infrastructure cost is
28.07 Crores. Identification of BRTS corridors in Amritsar was systematically done by taking Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
corridors identified in the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Amritsar and with careful alternative analysis BRTS came
out to be most suitable and sustainable solution for the city.
A 31 km of BRT corridor has been proposed in city with median side double docking stations: BRTS will cover three
routes as follows:
i. Atari Road – ISBT to India Gate via Bhandari Bridge, GNDU, Chheharta (12 km);
ii. Jalandhar Road – ISBT to MCA Gate via Tarawalan Pul (6 km); and
iii. Verka Road – ISBT to Verka via Hussainpura Bridge, G. T. Road Bypass (13 km)
Project Cost
(in Crore)
1. Albert Road Rs. 107.55 Overall progress is 42%.
Junction to India crore Details are:
Gate (8.70 Km) (GOI & 1) Work on LHS from RD 500 to 6100 & 6800 TO 8700 i.e 7500 Mtr
Corridor No.1 PIDB) has been completed upto DBM along cycle track on widening portion
(Guru Nanak Dev as well as on Mixed Traffic Lane (MTL).
University Road) On RHS from RD 500 to 6000 & 6700 to 8700 i.e. 7500 Mtr has been
completed upto DBM along cycle track on widening portion as well
as mixed traffic lane (MTL).RD 6000 to 6700 on RHS completed upto
WMM in widening portion and on LHS RD 6100 to 6800 completed
upto WMM.
2) Center Verge has been removed from RD 2700 to 5400 & RD 7600
to 8600 total 3700 Mtr & has been completed upto WMM.
3) Storm sewer from RD 300 to 6000 =5700 Mtr (RHS) & RD 300
to 5000 = 4700 Mtr (LHS) i.e. 10400 Mtr has been laid.
4) Work on Bus Stand shelter (12 No.) is in progress.
5) 4600 Mtr. Railing on both sides near GNDU Bus shelter & Khalsa
College has been fixed & further work is in progress.
6) Work of service road from RD 2600 to 4300 = 1700 mtr (LHS) has
been completed upto WMM layers and RD 2950 to 4400 = 1450mtr
(RHS) has been completed upto WMM layers.

7) Bus Shelter is in progress.
2. Bhandari Bridge Rs. 21.12 Overall progress is 43%.

Loop excluding crore Details are:
Railway Portion (GOI & 1) Out of 132 total 132 Working piles & 31 No pile caps have been
(Corridor No. 2) PIDB) cast.
2) Total 27 No Pier shafts erected upto final lift, 18 Nos Girders have
been casted, 9 Nos Girders has been erected & 11 No. pier caps have
been casted.
4) 180 Mtr slab has been casted.
5) Conceptual Plan Sketch (CPS) & Estimate for the Railway portion
has been approved by Railways & 2% P&E charges have been
deposited by PWD with Northern Railway. For execution &
supervision Baroda House office of Northern Railway has nominated
Chief Administrative Officer, Kashmiri Gate, Delhi.
6) Total cost of 19.00 crore of Railway portion has been submitted
with Northern Railway & GAD has been approved and tenders called
by the office of Northern Railway to be opened on 14.08.2015 for
technical bid. Financial bid to be opened thereafter for the approved
and shortlisted parties in technical bids.
3. Development of at Overall progress is 45%.

Grade road portion Details are:
(Length: 2.44 KM) 1) Work on widening portion completed for Strom water, WMM,
(Estimated cost DBM completed on both sides from RD 0300 to 0000 & from 0000
Rs.9.44 Crore) to 0930 = 1230 Mtr, except minor patches and FOB location..
2) Electric lines /poles shifting is in progress.
3) Work on Bus Shelter (2 no) is in progress
4) Road kerb 700 mtr laid & pedestrian block laid 300 mtr & work in
progress.
4. Bhandari Bridge Rs. 35.65 Overall progress is 36%.
Round about to crore Details are:
Daburji Bye pass (GOI & 1) Centre verge has been removed and for the length of 800 mtr work
(6.77 KM) Corridor PIDB) upto WMM has been completed.
No.3 (Road 2) Work upto DBM has been completed on LHS & RHS service lanes
approaching to (Each of length 3690m, Width 5.5m).
Entry Gate, 3) Work upto DBM has been completed on LHS & RHS mix traffic
Amritsar) lanes (Each Length 2800m & 660 Mtre on LHS, Width 10m)
4) Construction of 4 No Bus stop At Grade Portion is in progress,
Top slab of one bus shelter has been casted . Work on retrofitted bus
stops in progress and 82 Nos out of 168 working Piles have been cast
.
5) 550 Mtr Railing on both side starting from first Bus Shelter has
been installed and further is in progress
6) Cycle track cum pedestrian pathway construction has been started
on RHS near entry gate. (Kerb installed upto 700 mtr on LHS) & on
RHS 600 Mtr Kerb installed and interlocking tiles on cycle track LHS
400 Mtr & RHS 100 Mtr has been completed.
5. Central Core (6.745 Rs. 40.22 Overall progress is 32 %.

km) Hussainpura crore Details are:
Chowk to
Celebration Mall to (GOI & 1) RD 2945 to 3350 & RD 2250 to 2945 (both side) & RD 0730 to
Kitchlu Chowk to PIDB) 1400 LHS, RD 0642 to 0200 on both sides work upto DBM has been
Albert Road completed.
Junction & SSSS 2) Storm Water Sewer from RD 3000 to 3350 LHS Completed & RD
Chowk to Crystal 2990 to 3258 on RHS & 2250 to 2890 on both Sides has been
chowk (Corridor completed. From RD 450 to 1410 (LHS) completed. & Rd 0200 to
No.4) 0640 on both sides has been Completed & In Part 4B RD 1620 to
2050 RHS Completed.
3) For utility shifting work is in progress by PSPCL.
4) RD 2945 to 3350 & RD 2250 to 2945 (both side) work upto WMM
has been completed. From RD 0730 to 1410 (LHS) and RD 0642 to
0200 on both sides has been completed. In Part 4B RD 1620 to 2050
LHS & RHS work upto GSB completed.
5) 72% work for Cutting of tress has been done at site.
6) DBM from RD 2930 to 3340 LHS, RD 3950 to 4191 Both Sides
has been Completed & from RD 2910 to 3180 (RHS) has been laid.
RD 2260 to 2885 DBM both side completed. DBM from RD 0745 to
1360 (LHS) and RD 0642 to 0200 (LHS) has been completed.
7) 2 Nos. Bus Shelter under Progress.
8) 1 No. Percolation Well is under progress.
9) In Part 4F RD 2350 to 2830 both side kerb laid & pedestrian block
on RHS upto 300 mtr completed & work in progress. Railing upto
200 mtr on RHS has been laid.
6. Celebration Mall to
NH Bye pass (Verka
Chowk) (3.42 KM)
(Corridor No.5)
i. Elevated Portion 68.17 Crore Overall progress is 61% for Elevated & 11% for At Grade works.
(GOI & Details are:
PIDB) 1) Out of 494 working piles, 494 working piles, 122 pile caps, 119 Pier
shafts & 34 pier caps have been cast and 144 girders have been
launched & Deck slab of 1035 Mtr has been cast, 665 mtr of crash
barrier has been cast. Casting of RCC girder, RE wall panel casting is
ii. in progress & Construction of Retaining wall on Verka side has been
Development of at 17.37 Crore completed.
Grade road portion (GOI &
PIDB) 1) Construction of Service lane is in progress.
2) 1110 Mtr Strom water drain of 1000mm dia has been completed
& remaining is in progress.
7. NH Bye pass to 21.89 Crore Overall progress is 23%
Verka Canal 1.825 (GOI & 1) Storm sewer has been laid for first 3200 mtr.
KM (excluding PIDB) 2) GSB 2300 mtr has been laid. Laying of WMM 2100 Mtr has been
Proposed ROB) laid & DBM 1100 mtr has been laid.
Corridor No. 6 3) Two No. Bus Shelters are in progress
4) Installation of Railing in 500 mtr has been completed, rest in
progress.
8. Construction of 22.27 crore Overall progress is 83%.
ROB at Verka (0.90 (GOI & Details are:
KM) excluding PIDB) 1) All pile, Pile cap, Pier, Pier cap and Girder erection completed.
Railway portion 2) 700m out of 760m Deck slab completed and 230 mtr of crash
(Corridor No.7) barrier has been casted.
3) GAD for Railway Portion has been approved by Northern Railway.
Work for the same has been allotted by the Railway Authorities.

BRTS Operations Plan
A three-tier trunk and feeder system has been proposed with four major routes connecting whole city. Total fleet
requirement for BRT is 93 buses (103 buses with 90% of vehicle utilization) which will be running on following 4 routes
with headways varying between 3.5 min to 4 min:
i. India Gate to ISBT @ 3.5 min frequency (12 km);

ii. India Gate to MCA gate @ 4 min frequency (17 km);
iii. India Gate to Verka @ 4 min frequency (21 km); and
iv. Verka to MCA gate @ 4 min frequency (16 km).
For providing the last mile connectivity in whole city facility of public bike sharing stations, feeder bus connectivity has
been provided and rickshaw stands have been incorporated in design. It has been made sure that buses including other
BRT infrastructure are easily accessible by the physically challenged.
Figure 4-18 Proposed BRT corridor for Phase I on the northern side of the city
It is observed that the BRTS would cater to the Northern part of the city, and none of the stations are planned
near the walled city which is an urgent requirement. As the walled city is under immense pressure of private
vehicular traffic, thus there is a need to propose a LRT route or BRT route around the wall city on outer
circular road which will help in reducing the traffic congestion within the old city, and also tourist could use
it to commute in the city instead of relying on private taxis and auto rickshaws.
It is critical to note that the proposed route of the BRTS runs adjoining the North, East and South edges of
the Rambagh garden. It is proposed as a one way corridor to the south. Consideration should be made to
make the road one way for all traffic to manage this edge of the Rambagh Garden and reconnect the South
Deori with the garden complex.

4.4.3 Amritsar Improvement Trust

The Trust is actively engaged in infrastructure development work in the city, especially towards road development. One
of the important projects which is currently ongoing is the construction of a double storey parking in front of Durgiana
Mandir, as part of a comprehensive beautification scheme for the Temple complex.
Project
SN Project Name Cost (in Project Scope and Status
Crore)
1. Const. of Under Ground Double 65% work completed.
20.22
Storey Parking in Durgiana Mandir
Beautification Scheme.
2. Development and widening of Work has Started at Site
7.00
Macleod road. Total Length 1560
Mtr
3. Strengthening and Widening of Work is Completed.
16.24
Circular Road up to Kitchlu
Chowk. U/S 69-A.
4. Construction of Road from Majitha 70% Work is Completed.
Road ESI Hospital to Ranjit 11.14 Work in Progress. Till date out of 2070 Mtr Length
Avenue Block-E Amritsar U/S 69- 1470 Mtr Length has been completed.
A.
5. Development and Widening of 95% is completed. Only Laying of SDBC is pending.
Lawrence road from Novelty Work will be completed upto 30-09-15
2.47
Chowk to Dasonda Singh Chowk.
U/S 69-A.
6. SSSS Chowk Flyover/Under Pass Preliminary NOC granted by ASI.
53.00
U/S 69-A
7. Construction of 4-Lane ROB in Preliminary DPR is under Process with RITES Ltd.
lieu of Rego bridge (ROB). U/S Traffic Survey, Topographical Survey and geo
69-A. Technical Investigation has been completed. GAD
72.00
under process after the approval of GAD from Railway
Deptt. The DPR Will be made by the consultant. (Rites
Ltd.) Under JNNURM Process.
8. Four laning & Beautification of 6.01 100% Work completed.
Amritsar Tarn Taran-Sirhali-
Harike Road NH-15 (Sec. KM
110.25 to 111.85).
9. Construction of Four laning of Rs. 11.74 Over all 99% work completed except road furniture.
Amritsar Tarn Taran Sirhali Harike Crore
Road NH-15 (Sec. KM 112.95 to
114.20).

4.4.4 Amritsar Development Authority
ADA is currently responsible for the implementation of one project. The authority is, however, engaged with several
other for which funding is being provided by them but is being implemented by PWD (see section 4.4.2 for details).
Project Cost
(in Crore)
1. Restoration and Conservation Rs. 9.00 Works of Rs.3.80 Crore under Phase-I and Rs.2.96 Crore
of Old Guru Teg Bahadur Crore under Phase-II are going on (out of 9.00 Crore).
Hospital, Amritsar (Urban
Haat), Amritsar. 98% work done under Phase-I
95% work done under Phase -II
Date of Completion : 30-09-2015
4.4.5 Municipal Corporation of Amritsar
MCA’s most significant engagement is with the upgradation of approach roads from the circular road to the Golden
Temple. This is a priority project for the city, repeatedly mentioned at various forums and stakeholder consultations (see
Chapter 5 for more details).
Project Cost Project Scope and

SN Project Name
(in Crore) Status
1. Upgradation of roads and streets leading towards Golden Temple 3.11 (total) Govt of Punjab to
provide funding for the
project, monies are
awaited from the
Deputy CM’s office.
i. Chatiwind Gate to Golden Temple, Through Lakshmansar
0.29
chownk upto Baba Sahib chownk (CC Flooring on sides)
ii. Baba Bhodhi Wala chownk to Golden Temple, Through Chownk
0.19
Manna Singh (CC Flooring on sides)
iii. Inside Sultanwind Gate to Golden Temple, Through Kote Mahna
0.21
Singh (CC Flooring)
iv. Ramsar road to Golden Temple, Through chownk Baba Sahib (CC
0.13
Flooring on sides)
v. Ramsar road to Bebiksar road (Premium Flooring) 0.10
vi. Sultanwind gate to Golden Temple, Through Kote Mahna Singh
0.22
road to Dholi Mohala (CC Flooring)
vii. Sultanwind gate to Golden Temple, Through Kote Mahna Singh
0.44
road to Dholi Mohala (CC Flooring)
viii. Lakshmansar Chownk to Golden Temple, Through Pragdass
0.11
Chownk (Premix Flooring)
ix. Chatiwind to Lakhsmansar (Premium Flooring) 0.11
x. Ramsar Road to Baba Atal Sahib (CC Flooring) 0.18
xi. Sultanwind gate to Jalianwala Bagh, Through Lakadh Mandi (BM
0.26
and SDBC)
xii. Maahn Singh Gate to Ambedkar road (BM and SDBC) 0.32

xiii. Bazar ghata ghar, Katra Aluhwalia and Neva Bazar (BM and
0.23
SDBC)
xiv. Chatiwind Gate to Shamshanghat road (BM AND PC) 0.16
xv. Sikandri Gate to Hall Gate Interlocking Tiles 0.17
2. Municipal Solid Waste Management Project for Amritsar cluster. Rs. 109 Crore Evaluation of Technical
This project includes collection, segregation, storage, (JNNURM- and Financial bid from
transportation, processing and disposal of Municipal Solid Waste II) interested parties is
Management project of Amritsar cluster. underway.
4.4.6 PWSSB
Up gradation of Sewerage Network (JICA funding)

As per Amritsar Masterplan 2031, 70% 0f the area under Municipal Corporation is covered by sewage network serving
64% of city population, still 30% of Municipal area is devoid of this facility.
Currently PWSSB have been executing project funded by a loan from JICA (Japan International Cooperation
Agency)–Laying of Sewage System within the Municipal Corporation area. The project cost of Amritsar
Sewerage Project is Rs. 600 Crore approx. JICA shall fund the eligible portion of the project amounting to 6961 million
Japanese yen (Rs. 430 crore approx). The non eligible portion comprising of Administration charges, duties & taxes
and land cost shall be borne by State Govt. and Municipal Corporation, Amritsar.
Three STPs are also proposed under this scheme, two of which are executed of 95 MLD at Village Wadala Bhittewad
(Near Ghausabad) and at Baserke Bhaini (Near Khapper Kheri). One proposed STP of 27.5 MLD Chhattiwind have to
be constructed (contractor have been appointed).
The plan on the next page in highlights the status of sewage lines-

Figure 4-19 Existing Sewer lines in the Walled City

Up gradation of Services for the SE Zone of Amritsar

PWSSB is also engaged in a project for providing Water supply, Sewerage, Sewage Treatment Plant, Roads and
Street Lights including O & M of existing and proposed services for 10 years in South East zone, Amritsar
Components Physical scope

Water Supply
T/W 4 Nos.
Distribution lines 47 km
OHSR(1 lac gls 4 No.
House Connections. 7500 Nos.
Sewerage system
Lateral Sewer (150mm to 350mmm i/d) 107.30 km
Trunk Sewer 250mm to 1400mm i/d 17.50 km
House Connection 20000 Nos.
STP (27.50 MLD) 1 No.
MPS 1 No.
IPS 1 No.
Land 5 Acre
Roads
C.C road 173970 Sqm.
Metalled road 218750 Sqm.
Street Light 3520 no.
Up gradation of Storm Water Drainage

There is a felt need for reviving the storm water disposal system of the city. Currently most of the city has ineffective
infrastructure related to storm water drainage. Only few southern and eastern part of wall city have storm water drain.
All the roads leading to Sri Harimandir Sahib from Hakima Gate, Bhagtan Gate, Chattiwind Gate, Sultanwind Gate,
and Ghee mandi have storm water drains. Rest of the walled city has open drains at edge of the road, which acts as
stormwater drains during rains. The area around Sri Harimandir Sahib Gurudwara has an effective storm water drain
directed towards Bhagtan gate, Chittiwind gate and Ghee Mandi. Thus there is no water logging around Golden Temple
complex, but the Town Hall is described to be built on a low lying area and gets acutely flooded during the rains with
3-4 feet of water. All the roads from the walled city gates leading to Sri Harimandir Sahib, have outward slope, directing
flow of rain water towards the gates, as in earlier time there was a moat surrounding the wall city. Presently the moat,
which acted as, a natural drain to channelized storm water has been covered and constructed upon, an outer circular
road is built on it. The outer circular road outside walled city has a double barrel storm water drain all around underneath,
but needs some maintenance work like cleaning the drains as they are blocked with soil. All the covering of natural drain
‘Ganda Nallah’ work have been undertaken by PIDB through PWSSB. Some work is also being done for augmentation
of the storm water management in the areas around the Town Hall and the Jallianwalla bagh including the road leading
from Hall Gate towards Town Hall. This project also includes cleaning of 6 km long sewer line (of the trunk drain along
the western edge of the walled city).
The projects related to upgradation of the storm water drain has been undertaken in the past with a piece-
meal approach, there is a urgent requirement of laying integrated storm water management system of old and
new drains within the city to effectively manage storm water and prevent water logging.

4.4.7 Government of India Schemes
Besides HRIDAY, a number of schemes have been launched by Government of India with a mandate to improving
quality of life in one way or another. Schemes which directly or indirectly impact Amritsar have been briefly discussed
in this section.
SMART CITIES
The India Smart Cities Challenge has been launched by the Ministry of Urban Development. According to it’s mission
statement, it is designed to inspire greater creativity from municipal officials and their partners, more involvement and
inspiration from citizens, and the development of proposals that will produce concrete benefits in people’s lives. As a
first step, all states will use standardized criteria to pick their cities for the competition.
In the approach to the Smart Cities Mission, the objective is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and give
a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘Smart’ Solutions. The
focus is on sustainable and inclusive development and the idea is to look at compact areas, create a replicable model
which will act like a light house to other aspiring cities. The Smart Cities Mission of the Government is a bold, new
initiative. It is meant to set examples that can be replicated both within and outside the Smart City, catalysing the creation
of similar Smart Cities in various regions and parts of the
country.
The core infrastructure elements in a Smart City would include:

i. adequate water supply, ii. assured electricity supply, iii.
sanitation, including solid waste management, iv. efficient
urban mobility and public transport, v. affordable housing,
especially for the poor, vi. robust IT connectivity and
digitalization, vii. good governance, especially e-Governance
and citizen participation, viii. sustainable environment, ix.
safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children and
the elderly, and x. health and education.
An illustrative (non-exhaustive) list of Smart Solutions as per its mission statement and guidelines is provided below:
Every state is guaranteed at least one city in the competition. In the case of Punjab, Amritsar has been selected as
one of the cities to enter the challenge. Cities judged to have the best proposals will receive funding. The remaining
cities will have the chance to compete again next year. The India Smart Cities Challenge is a competition for municipal
leaders and their partners to promote economic opportunity in India, improve governance, and produce better results
for urban residents. To unearth the best possible plans from throughout India, a range of 100 cities from every state
will compete for funding in the first round. The multi-step selection process is detailed in the flow chart below:

The project components for the SMART city challenge have already been identified by the consultants
through intense and extensive interaction with the communities and stakeholders. The plans would be
complete by January 2016. Government of Punjab through PMIDC (Punjab Municipal Infrastructure
Development Company) would create a SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle under Section 25) for detailed planning,
management and implementation of work under this scheme. Thus, projects of HRIDAY are also under
consideration to be housed within this SPV for a cohesive and coordinated interventions in the city based on
a shared vision (See Chapter 11 for more details).

PRASAD
The Union Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial
Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory
Administrations, including the places of religious importance,
for various tourism projects in consultation with the sates
subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority, liquidation of
pending utilization certificates and adherence to the scheme
guidelines.
For development of tourism infrastructure in the country, the

Ministry of Tourism has introduced two new schemes in 2014-
15 i.e. PRASAD- Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual
Augmentation Drive and Swadesh Darshan. Under PRASAD
twelve cities have been identified for development initially,
namely: Amritsar, Ajmer, Dwaraka, Mathura, Varanasi, Gaya,
Puri, Amaravati, Kanchipuram, Vellankanni, Kedarnath and
Guwahati. Under Swadesh Darshan scheme, Spiritual Circuit
has been identified as theme circuit for development.
During the year 2015-16 under Budget Estimates Rs.100.00

crores had been allocated for PRASAD to develop tourist destinations of global standards. Following are the
components that would be eligible for Central Financial Assistance under the scheme:
Infrastructure Development
i. Development and upgradation of passenger terminal (road, rail, water, transport)

ii. Procurement of equipment for eco friendly modes of tourist transport
iii. Improvement of road connectivity leading to tourist sites/destinations
iv. Use of clean energy sources for street lighting
v. Equipment for tourism activities such as sound and light shows, water/ adventure sports, etc.
vi. Tourism Information /Interpretation Centre with ATMs/money exchange counters
vii. Informatory/ Directional signages
viii. Wayside amenities with emergency vehicle breakdown, repair and refuel facilities
ix. Infrastructure provision for stationing of caravan vehicles
x. General improvements such as earth filling, landscaping( including trees, shrubs), water fountains, fencing, lighting,
pavements/ walkways /pathways/driveways, seating facilities/shelters, drinking water points, garbage bins, storm
water drainage, treatment facilities for sewerage/effluent.
xi. External infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage, drainage, electricity and roads.
xii. Restoration, conservation, illumination of monuments/heritage strcutures.
xiii. Renewable sources of energy for tourist infrastructure
xiv. Environmental care and access to clean technology.
xv. Parking facilities for two wheeler, cars, buses and caravans.
xvi. Toilet cloak room facilities and waiting rooms
xvii. Construction of craft haats/bazaars/souvenior shops/cafeteria.
xviii. Construction of open air theatres and amphitheatres
xix. Construction of natural trails, watch towers, rain shelters, log huts.
xx. First Aid centre( including Indian Medicine Centre)
xxi. Helipads, heliports, airstrips, ropeways required for tourists in the identified circuits.

xxii. Shoreline development & rejuvenation of natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, streams and riverfronts.
xxiii. Improvement in communication through telephones booths, mobile servicesand internet connectivity, wi-fi
hotspots.
xxiv. Any other activity directly related to tourism and reuired for development of the identified circuit.
The site of Ram Tirath Temple, on the out skirts of the city of Amritsar has one of the components for works
under the PRASAD scheme for Amritsar. The site is located outside the Municipal limits of the city, though
within the larger LPA of Amritsar. While it is important to take note of work by the scheme, the focus of
HRIDAY is restricted within the identified heritage zones which are currently within the Municipal limits of
Amritsar.
ADARSH SMARK YOJANA

The scheme has been launched by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India with the aim to develop 25 monuments,
protected by ASI, across the country as ‘Model Monuments’. This is being done as part of the mandate of Ministry of
Culture to promote, preserve and conserve the cultural heritage of the country. The selected monuments would be
provided necessary tourist facilities including wi-fi, security, signages, encroachment free area, interpretation centres
showing short films about the importance of monuments and signboards of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
While the initial list of selected monuments does not mention Amritsar, at the 3rd meeting of the HRIDAY
National Empowered Committeee (HNEC) on 23rd September 2015, the Additional Director General, ASI
informed that the Rambagh Garden has been selected as one of the monuments of the 'extended' list under
the ADARSH scheme. Details of monies and scope of work to be undertaken through the scheme are currently
not available with the HRIDAY City Anchor.
AMRUT
Atal Mission for rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) is a scheme of Ministry of Urban Development,
Government of India where the main components of AMRUT consists of capacity building, reform implementation ,
water supply, sewerage and seepage management , storm water drainage, urban transport and development of green
spaces and parks.
The mission components are given below:
Water Supply
i. Water supply systems including augmentation of existing water supply , water treatment plants and
universal metering
ii. Rehabilitation of old water supply system, including treatment plants
iii. Rejuvenation of water bodies specifically for drinking water supply and recharging of ground water.
iv. Special water supply arrangements for difficult areas, hill and coastal cities , including those having water
quality problems(e.g. arsenic and fluoride)
Sewarage
v. Decentralised, networked underground sewerage systems, including augmentation of existing sewerage
systems and sewage treatment plants
vi. Rehabilitation of old sewerage system and treatment plants
vii. Recycling of water for beneficial purposes and reuse of wastewater

Septage
viii. Faecal Sludge Management-cleaning, transportation and treatment in a cost-effective manner.
ix. Mechanical and Biological cleaning of sewers and septic tanks and recovery of operational cost in full.
Storm Water Drainage
x. Construction and improvement of drains and storm water drains in order to reduce and eliminate flooding
Urban Transport
xi. Ferry vessels for inland waterways (excluding port/bay infrastructure) and buses.
xii. Footpaths/ walkways, sidewalks, foot over bridges and facilities for non-motorised transport (e.g. bicycles).
xiii. Multi-level parking.
xiv. Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS)
Green space and parks
xv. Development of green space and parks with special provision for child-friendly components
Reforms management & support
xvi. Support structures, activities and funding support for reform implementation.
xvii. Independent Reform monitoring agencies.
Capacity Building
xviii. This has two components-individual and institutional capacity building.
xix. The capacity building will not be limited to the Mission Cities, but will be extended to other ULBs as well.
xx. Continuation of the Comprehensive Capacity Building Programme (CCBP) after its realignment towards
the new Missions.
At the time of finalization of the City HRIDAY Plan, PMIDC- Department of Local Government informed
that SLIPs under AMRUT Scheme for Punjab is currently under preparation.
MUSUEUM GRANTS SCHEME

This scheme was launched by the Ministry of Culture. It recognizes that museums are a repository of a nation’s culture
as they contain explicit examples of the proof of the development of a country’s culture and heritage over a period of
time. Strengthening of the country’s museums is thereby an important activity covered under the ambit of the Ministry
of Culture. Prior to the 12th Plan, the Ministry was operating 2 schemes for providing financial assistance for the
development of Museums, namely
i. Scheme for financial assistance for promotion and strengthening of Regional and local museums
ii. Scheme for financial assistance to Museums in Metro Cities
These schemes catered to the funding of a large number of museums in the XI Plan period, however a need was felt
that the Ministry should also evolve a mechanism for funding of large scale museums on public private partnership
(PPP) framework. It was noted that there is a significant scope for the involvement of the private / corporate sector in
the development of museums, an activity which had hitherto been single handedly dealt with by the Government. It
was observed that the development of large scale museums at par with international standards required significant
amount of funding which the Government was not able to provide under the existing 2 schemes and hence it was
decided to initiate a new scheme with a possibility of larger funding and with the involvement of the private sector.
Also, in order to avoid a plethora of schemes in this sector, it was decided to merge the 3 schemes within a single
umbrella scheme with different components, for funding museums of different magnitudes.

The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance for setting up of new Museums by State Governments
and Societies, Autonomous bodies, Local Bodies and Trusts registered under the Societies Act and to promote the
strengthening and modernization of existing museums at the regional, state and District level including capacity building
of Museum professionals to further strengthen the museum movement in the country. Apart from this it is also planned
in the XII Plan period to undertake and develop at least 1 Central / State Government Museum located in a State
Capital each year under the Component of the scheme dealing with the Development of Museums in State Capitals.
The Scheme will have 3 components as given below:
i. Establishment and Development of District and Regional Museums.

ii. Development of Museums in State Capitals
iii. Establishment and Development of Large Scale Museums in Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode.
It is recommended that the Concept Plan for the City Museum which has been prepared as mandated in the
scope of HRIDAY could be considered to be proposed to Government of India for funding through this
scheme.

Chapter Five
Stakeholders
Consultations
5.1. Collaboration as a Driver
5.2 Meetings and Consultations with City
Officials and MoUD
5.3. Consultations with Local Community
5.4. Planned Activities

Stakeholder Consultations
5 Stakeholder Consultations
5.1 Collaboration as a Driver
HRIDAY, itself, is rooted in the belief that active engagement of local governments is key for sustained progress in a
city. The invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) for HRIDAY City Anchors emphasized that a “series of
stakeholders’ consultations are required to identify the issues and problems at the grass root level”. This EOI further
underscored that “vigorous public consultation (organised or isolated)” should be undertaken with “citizens, city
officials, and other stakeholders.”
It is essential that local stakeholders engage with the entire gamut of works towards project development- from
conceptualization, detailing, implementation, operation and maintenance. Heritage based development, whether at the
micro level (of a monument) or macro level (for cultural/ urban landscapes) requires that the needs and aspirations of
various interest groups - from both the public and private sector– are addressed to ensure that the process is inclusive
and offers a platform for a participatory approach.
Though seemingly resilient, cultural assets are most vulnerable to inappropriate interventions in and around them due
to insensitive planning. These are non-renewable resources whose value, use, and survival cannot be detached from
their setting or the people that interact with them. Consequently, CRCI, the HRIDAY City Anchor for Amritsar,
presents a holistic vision for improvements and upgradation through reccomendations presented in Chapter 8: CIPD.
This is only possible with the active engagement of multiple stakeholders working in a collaborative spirit
with a shared vision for the city. This vision necessarily requires to be based on the understanding of the intrinsic
outstanding universal value of the city’s heritage.
Stakeholder Consultations are required to evaluate:
i. City needs,
ii. Infrastructure,
iii. Visitor amenities,
iv. Signage and other visual communication system,
v. Assess the impact of visitors on the city
Towards this end, consultations have been conducted in Amritsar on various platforms: at meetings with decision
makers, consultations with various government and private stakeholders to understand past, ongoing and proposed
development initiatives and with local resource people towards understanding community needs and with the local
community to share and discuss ideas. Meetings have also been undertaken with community groups to present the plan.
CIDPs further require to be presented at the local levels to get inputs from the local community whose lives and engages
with the immediate setting of the heritage asset or the asset itself.

5.2 Meetings and Consultations with City Officials and MoUD
SN Meetings with City Officials and MoUD
1. Video Conferencing of HRIDAY National Empowered Committee with City Officials and HRIDAY City
Anchors
Date: 4th June 2015
2. Meeting with Municipal Commissioner. City Mission Directorate, Amritsar

Date: 5th June 2015
3. Meeting under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary to the honorable Deputy Chief Minister- Punjab
Date: 10th June 2015
4. Presentation at the Launch Ceremony of Smart Cities, AMRUT and Housing for All
Date : 25th/ 26th June 2015
5. Meeting under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Local Government cum-CEO-PMIDC

Date: 9th July 2015
6. Video Conferencing of HRIDAY National Empowered Committee with City Officials and HRIDAY City
Anchors
Date: 24th July 2015
7. Meeting with PWSSB and Darashaw Co. regarding Evaluation of DPR

Date: 22nd July 2015
8. Meeting under the Chairmanship of the District Commissioner, Amritsar

9. Discussions with MoUD regarding the status of work, Nirman Bhavan

Date: 19th August 2015
10. Meeting with Standing Committee on Urban Development in Chandigarh

11. 2nd Meeting of the City Advisory and Monitoring Committee (CLAMC), Amritsar
12. Meeting with Archaeological Survey of India for proposed work in Rambagh Garden
Date: 1st September 2015
13. HRIDAY Technical Committee Meeting

Date: 18th September 2015

14. 3rd HRIDAY National Empowered Committee Meeting

Date: 23rd September 2015
15. Meeting held under the chairmanship of Mission Director HRIDAY

Date: 1st October 2015
16. Meeting with Deputy Commisioner and Commisioner-MCA

Date: 10th October 2015
17. HRIDAY Technical Committee Meeting

18. 4th HRIDAY National Empowered Committee Meeting

19. Meeting with Municipal Corporation of Amritsar and Mayor

Date : 28th October 2015

SN Consultations on city infrastructure development initiatives
1. With Department of Tourism, Amritsar

2. With Mayor of Amritsar

3. With Municipal Corporation (Civil)
4. With Municipal Corporation (Electrical) and MapMyIndia Representatives
5. With Municipal Town Planner

6. With District Town Planner

7. With Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, Chandigarh

8. With Municipal Corporation, Amritsar

9. With Amritsar Improvement Trust

Date: 1st July 2015
10. With Punjab Heritage Tourism and Promotion Board, Amritsar (PHTPB)
Date: 1st July 2015
11. With Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB)

Date: 1st July 2015
12. With Municipal Town Planner

Date: 1st July 2015
13. With Amritsar Development Authority (ADA)

Date: 1st July 2015
14. With PWD (B & R)

Date: 1st July 2015 & 3rd July 2015
15. With BRT Consultant

Date: 1st July 2015

16. With District Tourism Officer, PHTPB

Date: 2nd July 2015
17. With Heritage Walk In charge, PHTPB

Date: 2nd July 2015
18. With Medical Officer, Department of Health

Date: 2nd July 2015
19. With Municipal Corporation (Electrical) and MapMyIndia Representatives

Date: 2nd July 2015
20. With Estate Officer / Land Department, Municipal Corporation

Date: 2nd July 2015
21. With Accounts Department. Municipal Corporation

Date: 2nd July 2015
22. With Municipal Corporation, Amritsar

23. With Water Supply and Sewage Department, MCA

24. With Superintending Engineer, Municipal Corporation


5.3 Consultations with Local Community
SN Consultations with local resource people and community groups towards research and
community engagement
1. With Mr Gunbir Singh, EcoAmritsar, EcoSikh)
Date: 4th June 2015
2. With Mr Surinder Kochhar, Local Historian and Author

Date: 12th June 2015 & 1st July 2015
3. With Director, Virsa Vihar

Date: 30thJuly 2015
4. With SGPC representative, Cheharta Gurudwara

5. Presentation to the people of the city at the Amritsar Vikas Manch

6. Sangrur Heritage and Literary Festival

Date: 21st November 2015
5.4 Planned Activities

ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) India, as an important organization working in the culture
heritage sector has been engaged with the City Anchor to conduct subject specific consultations with representatives of
market associations, artists, theatre persons and people/ organizations with a potential to contribute to growth and
appreciation of culture and traditional practices and crafts. Specialists from the National Scientific Committees on
‘Cultural Routes’ and ‘Historic Towns and Villages’ will bring in experts to coordinate and conduct these consultations
towards addressing needs of the City HRIDAY Plan.

Chapter Six
Projection and
Infrastructure Gap
Assessment
6.1. Tourist Projection
6.2 Broad Projection of tourist

infrastructure
6.3. Broad Projection of Urban
infrastructure
6.4. Gap Analysis
6.5. Summary of Findings
Projection and Infrastructre Gap Assessment
6 Projection and Infrastructure Gap

Assessment (City Level)
The Study1 aims to evaluate and profile the visitors coming in to Amritsar. It explores their various movement patterns
in and around Amritsar, the requirements of accommodation, food, public facilities, transport and roads and shopping
to further improve these services. It looks at various other sites besides the Darbar Sahib (Sri Harimandir Sahib) and
explores their potential for growth in order to attract more visitors leading to a more equitable distribution within the
city and preventing congestion.
The study is in the form of a sample survey and is not based on comprehensive figures or headcount.
The study comprises a survey carried out at various sites of Amritsar that have the potential for development as tourist
attractions. A total of 550 visitors were interviewed, including foreign and domestic tourists from various parts of the
country, as well as local visitors from other areas in Punjab. In addition, around 100 accommodation units, 50 shops
and 8-10 restaurants were covered by the survey, in order to evolve a realistic context for the visitors’ experience of the
city and indicate its carrying capacity.
The topics covered by the study include the current state of infrastructure, including accommodation and food
availability and quality, transport and traffic, public amenities, shopping and signage.
Sites covered: Sri Harimandir Sahib, sacred tanks, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple, Ram Tirath, Rambagh Palace,
Gobindgarh Fort, Atariborder and others.
6.1 Tourists Projection
The city is the district headquarters of Amritsardistrict in the state of Punjab.Amritsar lies about 25 km east of the
border with Pakistan and covers an area of approximately 5000 sq.km. with an urban population of approximately 10.11
lakhs.
The Rajasansi airport, about 11 km. from town, is an international airport connected by flights to Delhi, Srinagar and
Chandigarh as well as international flights to UK and Europe. Amritsar is connected by direct trains to major Indian
cities like Delhi, Jammu, Mumbai, Nagpur, Calcutta and Puri. There are two Shatabdi trains to New Delhi per day and
other cities are connected by super fast or express trains. Amritsar lies on a 4-lane highway through Punjab from Ambala
to Amritsar linking Punjab with Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi. Bus services connect Amritsar with most north
Indian towns, including Chandigarh (235 km), Delhi (450 km), Shimla, Kulu, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie in
Himachal Pradesh, Dehradun and Rishikesh in Uttar Pradesh and Jammu. There is also a bus service to Lahore, 35 km
away, which is the only overland connection between India and Pakistan.
1This study was undertaken by ORG-MARG for CRCI in 2008-09. It was part of the project for development of Amritsar as a Mega
Tourism Destination.

Projection and Infrastructure Gap Assessment
Total number of tourists interviewed: 550 persons
Domestic 485
NRI 21
Foreigner 44
Table 6-1 Tourist presence at different locations
Location Foreign Visitor Domestic Visitor
Darbar Sahib 21.60% 78.4 %
JallianwalaBagh 39.5% 60.5%
Ram Tirath 0 100%
RamBaghGarden 0 100%
Wagah Border 28.6% 71.4%
Durgiana temple 6.10% 93.90%
Shivalaya -- 100%
Mata Mandir 3.10% 96.9%
Sun City -- 100%
HarikePattan -- 100%
180
DARBAR SAHIB
160 JALIANWALA BAGH
RAM TIRTH
140 RAM BAGH
WAGHA
120
GOBINDGARH
100 DURGIANA
SHIVALAYA
80 MATA MANDIR
SUNCITY
60
HARIKE PATAN
40 KATRA
LAWRENCE RD
20 ATTARI
0
1 number of visitor covered in each site

Access and Interconnectivity: Sacred Geography (special routes), Katras (markets), RambaghGardens (walkers,
citizens), local transport, food, Airport, Railway Station, Bus Stand.
Issues to be examined: evaluate the city needs, infrastructure, amenities, signage, assess the impact of visitors on the
city
Indicators to evaluate needs: accommodation infrastructure, local transport requirements, parking, food outlets,
shopping facilities, amusement/recreation areas, public amenities, signage and information, handicapped access,
appropriate atmosphere ( traffic mobility, pedestrian mobility, noise pollution, air pollution, garbage, sewerage)
Mandate: try to gauge the needs of growing visitor traffic to the city, and evaluate the means by which they can be
accommodated within the capacity of the citizens needs.
Table 6-2 Focus Groups Addressed
Hotel industry Markets

- Hotels in Walled City - Traditional markets, katras
- Hotels in New City - Lawrence Road, Queens Road, new markets
Modes of Transport Local Government (official management agencies)

- Airport - Deputy Commissioners’ office
- Railways - Municipal Corporation (Commissioner)
- Taxis - Senior Superintendent of PoliceAmritsar
- Autorickshaws - District Transport Officer
- Manual Rickshaws
- Buses
Eating Outlets Visitors
- Roadside vendors - Indian
- Dhabas - Foreign
- Restaurants - Women
- Hotels - Elderly
Darbar Sahib and other sites Tour Operators

- Durgiana temple
- RambaghPalace
- Gobindgarh fort
- Holy tanks
- JallianwalaBagh

120.00%
100.00%
80.00%
Foreign Visitor
60.00%
Domestic Visitor
40.00%
20.00%
0.00%
ib
:
g h: ath: en: er: ple ya ndir City ttan
h a r d d l a
Sa la B Ti ar Bor tem iva a
M S un Pa
a r m G h a h a e
b a a gh ga n S at ar
ik
ar anw R a a g ia M H
D lli B W ur
Ja am D
R Tourist presence at different locations
Place of residence: NRI visitors who were interviewed are largely from UK, Canada, Australia, Norway, Greece, etc. These
are mainly qualified professionals, i.e. doctors, bankers, also some businessmen. There are substantial number (fig?)
from the Gulf, Oman, Bahrain etc. These are largely those employed as labour/working community.
Foreigners interviewed are mainly from Canada (37.5%), Australia (17.20%) Spain (9.4%)
Domestic visitors interviewed include a large group from Punjab (23.7%), also substantial numbers from UP (10.3%),
Rajasthan (10.7%), Gujarat (13.4%) Orissa (6.5%), MP. Broadly, UP, Bihar and West Bengal together account for 34%
of the domestic tourists, while the Sikh community and Punjabis constitute 40% of the interviewees. This reflects the
breakup of the populace visiting the city.

6.2 Broad Projection for Tourism Infrastructure
6.2.1 Transportation and Parking

Within Amritsar: The majority of foreign (20) and domestic (194) visitors used autos (three wheelers) as local transport,
and there are around 1000 of these operating in the city, many with dubious permits. Similar is the case with cycle
rickshaws, being used by foreigners (39/65) and domestic (137/485) visitors. Many also used the buses, including the
two operated by SGPC between the Railway Station and GoldenTemple. These are fairly regular, making upto 20 trips
each daily, starting at 4.20 am till 9.15 pm. The visitors found local transport facilities to be satisfactory, in terms of
availability. Moreover, they found parking access to the Golden Temple, as well as to shopping areas (this implies mainly
the shops in the new city, and does not adequately cover the katras, where people do not even envisage entering) also
to be good, including those using private taxis and self-owned cars.
The following is a list of centralised parking areas in Amritsar authorised by the Municipal Corporation:
1. Khairon market
2. Telephone exchange chowk
3. Kotwali
4. Inside Hall gate near fish market
5. Dharam Singh
6. Darbar Sahib (free parking)
7. SBI branch at Town Hall
8. Dr Daljit parking near Sheranwala gate (outside)
6.2.2 Accommodation
Purpose and motivation: The bulk of the visitors (55%) came for religious reasons, on account of GoldenTemple as well as
the city being on a major pilgrimage route on north India. They usually stay for about one day in the city, usually not
spending a night. This is followed by visitors for business purposes (28%), who usually stay for about two days. Those
traveling for leisure (holiday) purpose preferred to stay either in unstarred hotels (49%), or Dharmshalas (25.2%) or
Guest Houses (15.5%). For those traveling for pilgrimage reasons, Dharmshalas were the first choice (32.5%), followed
by unstarred hotels (26.7%). For those traveling on business, too Dharmshalas were first choice (41.7%) This indicates
that Dharmshalas are a preferred and convenient form of accommodation in the city. Interestingly, the majority of
respondents did not desire an “AC environment” to stay in, including the NRIs, who only looked for hygiene. However,
a number of domestic respondents would prefer to have access to certain appropriate activities like yoga and religious
discourse (pravachan), during their stay.
There are approximately six Sarais/Dharmshalas around the GoldenTemple, viz. Guru Ramdas Sarai (300 rooms), Guru
Nanak Niwas (50 rooms), Mata Ganga Niwas (100 rooms), Guru ArjanDevNiwas (100 rooms) Guru HargobindNiwas
(100 rooms) and Akal Rest House (100 rooms, all ac). Room rates vary from Rs. 50 for ordinary rooms to Rs. 200 for
rooms with ac. The fact that an NRI guest house with 100 air conditioned rooms is coming up near the GoldenTemple,
indicates the growing demand for accommodation in this area. At present, there is a continued mushrooming of
accommodation units around GoldenTemple, which cannot be sustained by the present sewage and sanitation, water
and power supply and parking infrastructure. The GoldenTemple is the focal point for the majority of visitors to
Amritsar, thus hotels, tourist oriented shops, vehicles, cycle rickshaws etc. all agglomerate around it. Traditional
businesses like textiles, trading, manufacturing etc. have traditionally operated in the walled city within the Katras,
leading to further densification of the area. However, there appears to be a shift in usage of the space, as businesses
tend to migrate out to the Civillines area, to be replaced by hotels. In the absence of a registration or regulation regime
for the hotels, this could carry on unchecked. Unregulated growth of hotels in the walled city largely contributes to the
unchecked change in the built fabric and facades, as well as unmitigated spread of posters and hoardings, leading to
tremendous visual clutter.
The following graph illustrates the state-wise preferences of visitors for hotels near GoldenTemple.
Accommodation proximity to Darbar Sahib
70
60
responce
50 high
40
30 medium
20 low
10
0
)
2)
0)
)
)
5)
15
15
32
j( 5
(5
j( 6
(1
a(
s(
up
ra
gu
ab
ah
is
or
nj
m
pu
visitors' belongs to
6.2.3 Food Outlets

Amritsar, with its rich and varied forms of traditional cuisine, ranging from lassi and thickened milk to Chana-Bhathura,
Phirni, Nan, Kulcha and fried fish, can rightly be called the “Food Capital” of Punjab. Being on a trade as well as pilgrimage
route contributed to the range and diversity of food items, as also providing meals from breakfast through dinner to a
moving populace, comprising pilgrims and commercial travelers. This factor has contributed to a strong culture of
eating outside the home even amongst the local residents, and the walled city comes alive in the evening with all kinds
of food outlets, from wayside stalls selling fruit chaat and ice cream, tiny corner cafes making kulchas to full-fledged
Dhabas and restaurants doing brisk business.
The scarcity of power supply and adequate sanitation and water supply are factors that could impact the growth of the
food market. Further, there is lack of regulation of these outlets, and consequently an absence of a food inspection
regime. The outlet owners are wary of such regulation not merely because of the fear of taxation costs, but also of
interference by the local authorities in their spatial development and growth. Such unchecked growth also contributes
to the rash of hoardings and posters in the walled city, as well as unregulated façade and spatial use. Thus, the demands
of a large food and restaurant industry is unsupported by sanitation and solid waste management infrastructure, like
dustbins and waste disposal systems, and even power and water provision for commercial establishments. The lack of
regulation also closes the door for potential development of this industry, like accreditation and advertising, leading to
greater exposure nationally and internationally, and consequently better management mechanisms.

The following figure illustrates the food preferences of the respondents.
Preference of food
300
250
200
responce
traditional
150 continental
chinese
100
50
0
style of food
6.2.4 Markets and Commercial Activities

Commerce has been a major backbone of Amritsar down the ages, and its significance as a major trading zone cannot
be emphasized enough. The outlets mainly comprise retail, wholesale, some manufacturing and storage units. While the
majority of visitors found the cleanliness at the katras to be satisfactory (265/550), the markets are as yet a relatively
unutilized potential of the city by tourists. Many of the visitors have not heard of the variety of products that they can
buy, and are reluctant to buy the food products like papad/warian, pickles etc. saying that they are all available in their
home towns. The NRIs, however, have shown an inclination to take back some of these products to their home
countries, as they are not available there. Similarly, some of the foreigners take back musical instruments, largely as local
souvenirs and exotica. However, these too can be more appropriately showcased for greater purchase.
The larger issue underpinning the lack of interest in shopping is the tremendous stress and inconvenience in entering
the katras, owing to the narrow roads, the chaotic traffic, ambient pollution, lack of public amenities and shelter in these
areas. Adding to this is the great visual clutter due to the hoardings, which are intrusive and distract from the traditional
building morphology, as well as confuse the visitor who cannot make out where to go. The visitors predominantly claim
lack of information about the katras, and directional signage is an impossibility due to the hoardings. Public amenities
like toilets, shelters and drinking water are also not indicated, and people cannot find them in the confusion. Thus the
markets are frequented mainly by retailers and regular shoppers like local residents and those from neighboring small
towns, who know exactly where they need to go in the katras. Tourists tend to avoid these areas, leading to a lack of
revenue for the commercial areas.

The following graph illustrates the respondents’ shopping experience.
Shopping Experience
visitor's responce
300
250
200 good
150 avg
100 poor
50
0
ry d ry s s str
de pr
o lle as rd
l in
oi e nr oa
br o d jw r/b sb i ca
fo e es us
em p
co
p ch m
shopping items
Issues pertaining to the markets
Interactions with shopkeepers revealed that they are aware of the great tourist market that they are missing out on, and
would like to have tourists as buyers. This is one reason why many shops are moving out of the walled city. However,
in areas like Hall Bazaar, one sees the tremendous overcrowding of the pavements with stalls and redis, which the local
traffic police is unable to manage. This makes it very difficult to walk, and pedestrianization of the walled city therefore,
becomes impossible in the present context. The stalls are often given permits to stand by the Municipal Corporation,
making regulation very difficult. Moreover, shopkeepers and shoppers alike prefer to park their vehicles right in front
of the shops, leading to further congestion. The municipal public parking at Bhandari Pul and other places is not popular
for this reason. There is lack of a traffic movement plan, also lack of traffic regulation by the police, leading to a chaos
of vehicles, noise pollution and air pollution which detracts from the spiritual atmosphere around Darbar Sahib. This
was strongly pointed out by a foreign visitor to the city.
Recreation areas were also brought up as an issue through the tourist interactions. Visitors pointed out the need for play
areas for children, which could be provided through parks and playgrounds that would benefit the environment and
also revive the multiple baghs (gardens) that were traditionally part of the city, as depicted in the map of 1849.

6.2.5 Public Amenities and Signage

One of the major issues brought up by the respondents was the lack of visitor information, including signage indicating
the sites to be visited. In any case, the huge amount of visual clutter confuses the visitor and makes it difficult for him
to discern the signs for even basic public amenities, much less enabling him to find the sites.
Public amenities, like toilets, seating and drinking water, are virtually inaccessible to the visitor, other than at the
GoldenTemple. The following graph illustrates the poor state of public amenities at a neighbouring site to the
GoldenTemple, viz. JallianwalaBagh.
Quality of public amenities
500
visitors' responce
400
good
300
sat
200
poor
100
0
Darbar Sahib Jalianwala Bagh
place of survey
6.2.6 Issues connected with the various sites

i. Jallianwalabagh: This is one of the few open areas in the walled city, and is frequented by both tourists and
residents alike as a green space. However, tourists expressed disappointment with the site, saying that the
museum should be larger, depicting more fully the significance of such an important historic monument. They
also thought a sound and light show here would be appropriate, showcasing the unique events that had occurred
at the spot.
ii. The Sarovars: The five sacred tanks are virtually ignored by visitors, who claim to have no knowledge about
them.
iii. RambaghPalace and Garden: there are very few visitors here as well, owing to lack of information and signage.
Hence the historical period of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as the great developer of the city, goes unnoticed.
iv. Ram Tirath: Some non-Sikh visitors come here to see the Valmiki Ashram. Usually these are the pilgrims from
Vaishno Devi.
v. DurgianaTemple: this is popular with visitors, especially those from UP, MP and West Bengal who are part of
large tourist groups. A number of tourist buses are also parked in its vicinity, usually en route to Vaishno Devi.

500 A.C.Room
400 THEME PARK
YOGA
300
INFORMATION
200 CENTRE
SIGNAGE
100 SEATING
SHELTER
0
number of respondants PARK
Tourist need at site and accomodation place
350
300
250
200
150
Good
100 Satisfactory
50 Poor
0
Number of respondants
Overall Experience of the visitors
Traffic Management and Roads:

Road Condition is very bad, pavements are broken as well as largely encroached on by redisand shops, and therefore
walking for pedestrians is problematic. Encroachments also cover up public toilets, which are not visible to the public.
There appear to be no traffic movement plan, no rules for enforcement by local traffic police, restriction of vehicles
around Darbar Sahib is ad hoc and completely erratic. Due to there being no traffic lights, crossing the road is a
nightmare. There is no speed limit enforcement for vehicles. Parking is an issue for those with private vehicles and taxis.

Tourist information and Signage

There is no organized tourist information system, starting from the entry points into the city, i.e. the Bus stand and
Railway station. Tourists receive no information regarding the local sites, accommodation, eating outlets, routines of
the various shrines etc. There is inadequate signage in the city regarding directions to the various sites, including the
GoldenTemple, and chaotic traffic further compounds the issue. Even the existing signs are obscured by the visual
clutter, hoardings etc. that make it impossible to find directions. The biggest sufferers from lack of tourist information
are the Katras or traditional markets, which are in any case difficult to negotiate and congested. Tourists avoid them
altogether, leading to a loss of revenue for these indigenous institutions of the town. They are facing increasing decline
due to this.
Hotels
The numerous accommodation units mushrooming around the already congested Golden Temple area are almost
entirely unregulated, leading to not only a loss of tax revenue for the state, but also a lack of recognition for these units
on the part of a wider tourism network. Further, the lack of building control leads to sanition and infrastructure
problems, as well as law and order issues, forcing the police to carry out surprise checks for drugs etc. Tourists have
expressed a desire for a more sensitive spiritual environment in keeping with the nature of the holy city, such as yoga
classes and religious discourses in their place of accommodation.
Overall
In conclusion the study reveals that the tourists have expressed the great need for an overall management structure
for the town, which integrates infrastructure issues like roads, sanitation, sewage, public amenities, building control,
traffic and law and order with a visitor information system to provide a holistic visitor experience. This should not
simply have a monitoring role, but also a planning and execution one, involved in the day to day management of the
city. The existing regulations, especially with respect to traffic, need to be more strictly enforced, and updated for
increased pressures on the system. The city management agencies, particularly the DC, the Municipal Corporation, and
the Police need to work in consonance with the Tourism Department to optimize the tourism potential of the region.
Consultations with the markets and civil society has revealed a tremendous desire on their part to participate in the
process of development planning, and consultative exercises are strongly recommended at multiple levels to bring this
about.
The following figures illustrate the visitors’ response to the state of various services at two of the major tourist
destinations, GoldenTemple and JallianwalaBagh.
At Darbar Sahib At Jalianwala Bagh
400 350
350
300
300
Responce
250
Responce
250 good good

200 sat 200
sat
150 150
poor poor
100 100
50 50
0 0
signage cleanliness parking signage cleanliness parking
Issues Issues

6.3 Broad Projection for Urban Infrastructure
Favoured modes of transport from and to Amritsar include train, which was used by 42 foreign and 204 domestic
visitors; bus, which appears to be very popular, used by 24 foreign and 257 domestic visitors. There are 7-8 important
long distance trains linking Amritsar with Delhi and Chandigarh, including two Shatabdis per day. Around 1200-1500
(very few?) visitors, including tourists and businessmen, arrive at Amritsar station each day. The station has a waiting
hall able to accommodate over 100 people, as well as an SBI counter, ATM facility and tourist counter.
The bus stand is a good example of the success of public- private partnership, being large, well-managed, ample service,
with 165 buses operating from 50 stands. Also,7 Volvo buses including 6 private Volvos link the city with Delhi and
Chandigarh, showing that there is a great market demand for these buses. The bus stand also includes a number of food
outlets, dormitory and single room accommodation, public amenities and drinking water. It was a one-stop-shop for
the daily visitor, who could use it as a base while he either completed his visit to GoldenTemple or business purpose.
Air was favoured as a mode of travel mainly by foreign visitors (17), and was a negligible factor among domestic tourists
(4). This could be because there are 66 international flights to Amritsar per week, including many low budget
international airlines like Air Slovakia, Turkmenistan Air etc., thus making it a conducive mode of international travel.
However, there are only 2-3 domestic flights to Amritsar, by Air Deccan and Indian Airlines, and that too from Delhi.
The lack of domestic connectivity with other metros and cities, and the prior presence of the Shatabdi train from Delhi,
makes the air trip unfeasible.
Around Amritsar: There are about 100 minibuses operating from the main bus stand for local routes within 25 kms, for
instance linking the neighbouring towns of Tarn Taran, Batala, etc. with Amritsar. Besides this, just opposite the Railway
Station, around 40 private buses operate on a day to day basis, a number that could rise to 70 at peak season.
Unfortunately, there is no organized transport to Atari, where only 6000-7000 tourists are able to go each day, as only
2 buses operate on the route each day. Further, there is inadequate parking and tourist infrastructure at Atari, which
could be a further deterrent. If there was more by way of food and drinking water availability, public amenities, elderly
and handicapped facilities and even accommodation for overnight stay, the border post could attract many more
categories of visitors. Further, the neighbouring sites of Pulkanjari and Atari could be built into the Border package trip,
thus making it more varied and attractive, and enable the visitor to spend a whole day on it, rather than a few evening
hours.See Volume IV: Annexures for studies on the "Intermediate Public Transport (IPT) system for heritage routes of Amritsar City
(improved inter heritage site connectivity)"
300
250
200 good
150 satisfactory
100 poor
50
0
1 Traffic condition of the City

6.4 Gap Analysis
Focus Accommoda Local Parking Food Shops Recre Publi Signage/ Traffic Handic
Groups/ tion Transport/ Outlet ation c Visitor apped
Infrastructur Routes s areas Amen Informati access
Stakehold e ities on
ers
Tourists Sarais and Prefer using Those using Prefer No Need Inade Very poor Very Only at
small hotels in autos, local personal local inform for quate signage heavy Darbar
NRI Darbar Sahib buses, cycle transport cuisine, ation, more toilets both and Sahib
area rickshaws find it no signage such and directional uncoordi
Foreigner preferred. inadequate inform , areas, drinki for sites nated
Great especially at ation relucta play ng and for
Domestic
demand for Darbar Sahib about nce to areas water, public
accommodati many enter for no amenities
on. Spiritual speciali katras childre seating
environment/ zed n in
activities eating public
desired. outlets. places
Inadeq
uate
food at
Wagah
Hotel Mostly Traffic Hotels Majorit No

Industry unregistered, chaos, no around y serve standard
agglomeratio coordinatio DarbarSahib: local signboards
n, no façade n with local Virtually no cuisine
control, transport parking
inadequate facility
sanitation and provided to
parking guests
infrastructure,
visual clutter
Restaurant No Traffic Other than Mainly No

s/Food signage/infor chaos, no Brothers local standard
mation for coordinatio Dhaba, no cuisine signboards
Outlets tourists, n with local parking
unregulated, transport
visual clutter,
no food
inspection

Shopkeepe Katras Cycle Parking is a Showca No No

rs increasingly rickshaws problem, sing toilets standard
being used to none space or signboards
converted to transport available in require drinki
accommodati material to Katras d for ng
on, katras, redis Katra water
detrimental also. No shops, source
environment, regulation wholes
traffic chaos, for traffic alers
visual clutter managemen want to
and lack of t do
visitor more
information retail
work,
access
the
tourists
City Unregulated Autos, Centralised

Managers accommodati rickshaws, parking is
on units, redis are available at 7
DC Office potential law unorganized places
and order and , operate
Police fire risk without
permits, no
Tourism
pollution
Dept
control, no
traffic
managemen
t plan
6.5 Summary of findings

i. Lack of sensitivity or awareness about the historical narrative of the city and its preservation
ii. Unplanned and unauthorised developments rampant around historical sites
iii. Inadequate disaster risk preparedness, deteriorating building stock, risk of fire and flooding
iv. Heavy noise, air and visual pollution
v. Uneven road surfaces
vi. Lack of pedestrian friendly areas
vii. Chaotic multi-modal transportation coupled with lack of effective traffic management
viii. Poor public transportation
ix. Unhygienic sanitary and unsafe conditions in most areas of the walled city (choked open drain lines,
open garbage and defecation, flooding of manholes, open hanging electrical wires)
x. Mixed traffic within narrow streets (pedestrian; two, three and four wheeler vehicles for transportation
of goods and commuting)
xi. Lack of and inappropriate parking spaces
xii. Inadequate facilities of budgeted and quality accommodations
xiii. Rise of hotels in residential areas with low access, amenities and facilities

xiv. Inadequate tourist infrastructure (tourist information centres and kiosks,toilets, signage, street
furniture, lighting, hygienic cafes and restaurants )
xv. Rare provisions of universal accessibility supportive infrastructure and amenities (Golden Temple has
wheelchair facilities)
xvi. Lack of effective informational, directional, identification, safety, regulatory and interpretive signage
xvii. Poor aesthetics and unsuitability of signage (poor readability, placement and narrative)
xviii. Visual pollution from poor aesthetics of hoardings that hide the beauty of the lanes and the old historic
buildings
xix. Lack of comprehensive collection, synthesis and communication of the data generated on the
collective history of Amritsar to the public which leads to low visibility and interest of most sites on
tourist radar.
xx. Insensitive cultural behaviour patterns of the tourists (at times locals) at sites like JallianwalaBagh or
religious sites that disrupt the sanctity of the places, due to lack of understanding of the cultural and
historical context
xxi. No orientation nodal point for the tourists to assimilate the collective story of Amritsar
xxii. Absence of a diverse range of recreational activities
Figure 6-1 Documentary Heritage of Amritsar


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What are the main historical sites discussed in the document?

What are the main historical sites discussed in the document?

What issues are highlighted regarding the current state of infrastructure and development in Amritsar?

What issues are highlighted regarding the current state of infrastructure and development in Amritsar?

City HRIDAY Plan

CRCI India Pvt. Ltd

IPE Global Pvt. Ltd.

Mr J M Balamurugan , Secretary, Department of Local Government, Punjab

3 APPRAISAL OF HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ASSETS OF AMRITSAR 50

4 REVIEW OF EXISTING INITIATIVES 82

5 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS 156

6 PROJECTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE GAP ASSESSMENT (CITY LEVEL) 162

7 PRIORITISATION OF ASSETS 178

8 CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 200

9 SHELF OF PROJECTS 310

9.1 Zone 1: Ramdaspur Heritage Zone

10 INVESTMENT PLAN AND SOURCE OF FUNDING 320

10.1 Summary of Costs

11 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND MONITORING MECHANISM 332

12 PROMOTION PROGRAM AND MARKETING STRATEGIES 364

13 STRATEGIES FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 378

1.1 Sub Title

1.2 Sub Title

1.3 Sub Title

1 Purpose of City HRIDAY Plan

Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India and

National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)

Heritage Based Sustainable Development Initiative

2 | City Hriday Plan - Amritsar

The key agencies for the HRIDAY Scheme

KEY AGENCIES HRIDAY

National level Mission

1. Comprehensive Infrastructure Development

Figure 1-2 Types of Infrastructure; Source: CRCI

2. To create a strategic framework, it is critical to understand

4 | City Hriday Plan - Amritsar

Figure 1-3 The proposed four tiered hierarchy of infrastructure development;

5. Anticipating and Planning for Urban Expansion/ City Growth

CRCI India Pvt. Ltd. in consortium with IPE Global | 5

 Expand the buffer zone

CRCI India Pvt. Ltd. in consortium with IPE Global | 7

2.5. Forrest and Bio -diversity

The settlement of Amritsar, its evolution and its

1 Evolution of Amritsar- Dossier for nominating Amritsar as World Heritage Site, Pg 95

8 | City Hriday Plan – Amritsar

2.2.1 Early phase of Growth of Amritsar

2 Evolution of Amritsar- Dossier for nominating Amritsar as World Heritage Site, Pg 96

CRCI India Pvt. Ltd. in consortium with IPE Global | 9

Figure 2-1 Landscape before the arrival of Guru Ram Das

10 | City Hriday Plan - Amritsar

Figure 2-2 Changes made between 1573 AD and 1606 AD

CRCI India Pvt. Ltd. in consortium with IPE Global | 11

2.2.2 Period of Struggle

12 | City Hriday Plan - Amritsar

In 1699 A.D., the day of Baisakhi, Guru Gobind called

2.2.3 The Misl Period (1764-1801)

After Nadir Shah’s death, his heir, Ahmad Shah Abdali

CRCI India Pvt. Ltd. in consortium with IPE Global | 13

marking these historic sites). The area around Amritsar came