Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Tuesday held a meeting to review the implementation of about 27 development projects in Punjab. The projects to be revived included the Galiara Project (Golden Temple beautification project) around Harmandir Sahib, completion of Khalsa Heritage Project at Anandpur Sahib and the up gradation of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Research in Chandigarh.

The review meetings were chaired by T.K.A. Nair, principal secretary to the prime minister who has served as a chief secretary in Punjab. Apart from the above mentioned projects, the other initiatives on card include establishing a bio-technology hub in Punjab and the coverage of Amritsar and Ludhiana under the National Urban Renewal Mission.

Specific attention is also being given to the infrastructure sector, with up gradation and widening of Amritsar-Wagha road.

Additionally, Amristsar-Jalandhar, Amritsar-Pathankot, Kiratpur-Chandigarh and Ambala-Chandigarh roads are also being taken up under the National Highway Development Programme.  The Ambala-Jalandhar and Ludhiana-Chandigarh roads are proposed to be six-laned.

Ludhiana is also proposed to have high-speed railway corridor along with setting up a new airport of international standard in the state.

Manmohan Singh has also taken several educational and social initiatives, foremost amongst them being the announcement to set up the Indian Institute of Science and Research in Punjab.