Addressing a mammoth gathering after unfurling the national flag and taking the salute at an impressive march past here on the occasion of Republic Day, the Chief Minister, while unfolding the development agenda, pointed out that the state government had initiated steps to add more than 2000 MW of electricity in Punjab within four to five years by setting up the Lehra Mohabbat stage-two project, Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant, Doraha, gas plant and the Shahpur Kandi project.

Besides, the state government had taken up upgradation of about 870 km of important roads, including national and state highways, construction of railway overbridges wherever necessary and providing safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in rural areas of Punjab at a cost of Rs 1819 crore. The PRTC and Punjab Roadways would add more than 500 buses to their existing fleet shortly, he added.

Capt Amarinder Singh, who also inspected the guard of honour by Punjab police and NCC cadets, announced a special package for Bathinda town. He said the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) would construct a ring road connecting the Bathinda-Barnala road to the Bathinda-Mansa road, which would boost economic development. Apart from this, four railway overbridges would be constructed over various level crossings in the city while a subway would be constructed to connect the main city with the trans-railway colonies. He said the Punjab Government would also give Rs 50 lakh as special aid to the local Mahant Gurbanta Dass School for the Deaf Dumb and Blind.

The Chief Minister said the Punjab Government had decided to organise a state-level function to mark the tercentenary of Guru Gobind Singh’s visit to the local fort on June 12, 2006.

Later, the Chief Minister watched the colourful programme, including Bhangra, Gidha and other items presented by school children. Tableaux prepared by different state government departments, a vehicle carrying missiles and a heritage village named Jaipal Garh set up by the Bathinda Region Heritage Foundation (BRHF) were also on display.

Capt Amarinder Singh also honoured 10 war widows and 13 other eminent personalities, including police officials, for their outstanding achievements in their respective fields. He also gave tricycles to physically challenged persons and 70 spectacles to children under the National Blindness Control Programme.