RailEnquiry

Amritsar: Shawl Club India, a group of traders and industrialists, today hailed Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for giving them a patient hearing, assurance on special package to the border district of Amritsar and resolution of other issues confronting industries.The package, which they demanded on the lines of J&K, would help industry withstand economic challenges in the region.In a release issued here, Shawl Club general secretary Piara Lal Seth said, "We discussed various issues in detail with the PM. The primary concern was a package for the industry and the PM has assured all necessary measures in the days to come," said Seth. The delegation headed by senior Congress leader Om Prakash Soni submitted various issues to draw attention of the Prime Minister.Connectivity of Amritsar-Makhu to the Mumbai rail line was also discussed and funds amounting to Rs 147 crore have been set aside for laying of railway track from Patti to Makhu. The PM assured that the project would be initiated at the priority basis, said Seth. He added that upgrading of the Amritsar International Airport by allowing more domestic and international connectivity, enhancing the capacity of the Northern Railway Locomotive Workshop here, were some of the other issues the PM gave assurance upon.

Seth said there was tremendous potential of growth if the Union Ministry of Finance took some positive measure to instill growth by declaring a special package. He said Amritsar has for long been neglected.

"By launching various schemes for promoting tourist potential, allowing more domestic and International flights, providing more infrastructure for multi-pronged growth of the city and encouraging more opportunities for growth of trade and industry, the city can survive the future challenges," said Seth.