New Delhi, 6 August 2025 — Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney has urged the Central Government to immediately initiate decongestion measures around Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, calling it a matter of national heritage and public comfort.
In a letter addressed to Union Ministers, Dr. Sahney flagged the chronic traffic chaos, rising pollution, and lack of modern infrastructure in the holy city, especially around the shrine that welcomes over 1.5 lakh devotees daily. He also demanded that Patiala and Mohali be included under the Smart City Mission, alongside Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar.
“Sri Darbar Sahib is the spiritual heart of Sikhism. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that pilgrims experience comfort, safety, and dignity,” Dr. Sahney said. “Today, even the three selected Smart Cities of Punjab have nothing to show visibly as ‘smart’—congestion, uncleanliness, and poor waste management continue to plague them.”
Citing a written reply received in the Rajya Sabha on August 4 regarding Smart City implementation, Dr. Sahney said there was a pressing need to not only expand the list of cities in Punjab but also to take visible, on-ground action in those already selected.
In his proposal, Dr. Sahney listed several infrastructure projects that could ease congestion and serve as a national model for integrating heritage with smart urban mobility:
- Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS): A high-capacity transit corridor linking GT Road to the Golden Temple to cut travel time and reduce road pressure.
- Underground Tunnel for E-Vehicles and Golf Carts: A dedicated tunnel from a key parking area to the periphery of the Golden Temple, ensuring pedestrian safety and reducing core congestion.
- Multi-Level Parking: Structures at city entry points to absorb tourist vehicles and reduce local road load.
- Capsule Car System: Inspired by London and other global cities, compact eco-friendly cars would offer structured, last-mile connectivity and reduce surface traffic near the temple.
- Elevated Monorail: A sleek monorail connecting GT Road with the shrine to offer fast, heritage-sensitive transport for lakhs of pilgrims.
“Amritsar is one of India’s most historic cities, but its narrow lanes and overcrowded routes are no match for today’s demands. It’s time we stop compromising heritage in the name of convenience and start protecting it through smart planning,” Sahney said.
He added that without bold intervention, the quality of life in Amritsar’s core areas would continue to deteriorate — impacting not just pilgrims, but residents and small businesses as well.
Dr. Sahney concluded by urging the Central and Punjab governments to work jointly to elevate the spiritual and civic standing of Amritsar. “Let us make this city not only spiritually rich but also infrastructure-strong — a model for the nation,” he said.
