Amritsar
to be a major tourist destination
by
Ravinder Singh Robin
Amritsar:
Known for its rich Punjabi culture, religious environment, and sumptuous food,
Amritsar has been a draw for visitors from across the country and abroad for a
long time. Though tourists visit this holy city in big numbers, but to attract
more visitors plans are underway to promote it as a major tourist destination.
Founded in Circa 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the 4th guru of the Sikhs, Amritsar literally
means a pool of nectar. It derives its name from the sacred pool, Amrit Sarovar,
that surrounds the holy Sri Harmandir Sahib popularly known as Golden Temple.
A pilgrimage for the Sikhs, Sri Harmandir Sahib draws thousands of pilgrims and
tourists everyday from different parts of the country and world. It also helps
Amritsar generate a fair amount of revenue. But the challenge for the administration
is to provide them facilities like accommodation and transportation. To improve
services and infrastructure for the tourists is on top of the agenda. "People
of all religions from across the world visit Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple
and Jallianwala Bagh. And, City's municipal corporation is dedicated to facilitating
their visit. Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has started a bus
service from Amritsar Railway Station to Sri Harmandir Sahib and other pilgrimage
sites such as Khadur Sahib and Goindwal Sahib. Air-conditioned buses also ply
for foreign tourists. SGPC is committed to attracting religious tourists to Sri
Harmandir Sahib and Amritsar city," said Ajaybir Pal Singh Randhwa, Sr. Deputy
Mayor of Amritsar.
In
a bid to offer security and better services to tourists in Amritsar, the Punjab
Government recently organised the Tourism Police. The Centre has agreed in principle
to grant five million dollars for developing Amritsar as a major tourist destination.
Of that one million dollars have already been sanctioned under the Normal Destination
Development Scheme for the city. It includes conservation of historic and religious
places and improvement of facilities for tourists. "Every facility is available
for tourists. But the government should concentrate more on improving air links
and railway service. Special attention should also be given to cleanliness because
it is only then that tourists from America and Europe who like to visit clean
places will speak well about us when they return to their country," said a tourist.
"The facilities at the Golden Temple are excellent. We have come from Gujarat
state and people in Punjab are very hospitable and respectful," a tourist from
Gujarat.
The
city boasts of a Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, located inside the historic Ram
Bagh. It's a major tourist attraction that recreates the life and battles of the
legendary Maharaja, through rare pictures and mannequins. The city, however, lacks
proper accommodation for domestic and foreign visitors. And, the hotels would
like to start Bread and Breakfast Schemes to meet this shortfall. "The Centre
runs Bed and Breakfast Scheme in Delhi to give foreign tourists experience the
warmth of Indian hospitality. But here the local administration says that tourists
can only stay at those guesthouses that have been given licenses. Can't we open
guesthouses and restaurants in the heritage buildings? We want that these heritage
buildings should be given a license and training and we are ready to bear all
the expenses to make the scheme work," said Surinder Singh, President of the Hotel
and Restaurant Association of Amritsar. The Beating Retreat ceremony at Wagah-Attari
border check-post is another major tourist attraction. To draw more tourists,
the government has already sanctioned 970,000 dollars for the project Integrated
Development of Wagah/Attari Border. It includes development of tourist facilities
and upgradation of surroundings of the international border.
-July
13, 2009
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