URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR Amritsar

Amritsar, widely renowned for the Golden Temple and the oldest of holy Sikh
places, is also an important centre of trade and commerce, a seat of learning and
literature and the highest centre of Sikh politics. The city is located strategically at
the country's northwestern frontier. As per Census 2011 the population of Amritsar
Municipal Corporation is 11, 32,761. Withan overview of the city and its issues with
reference to Master Plan, etc. specifically the studio exercise was divided into the
following six broad categories:
Rain Water Harvesting
The system of water supply in Amritsar and settlements falling in the LPA is entirely
based on ground water. This has resulted in rapidly depleting water table. It was

60 years of Urban Planning Department, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
thus imperative for the city to look for other solutions to source its water from. The
Master Plan of Amritsar identifies rain water harvesting as one of the important
measures to augment its water supply.
Area Improvement of Historic Precincts
The city has emerged as a great centre of heritage and historical significance with
the presence of Golden temple and many other gurudwaras/temples/mosques,
which makes it a centre for religious tourism. Considering the richness of the historic
and heritage precincts in Amritsar and it being a popular tourist destination in India,
there is ample scope for area improvement and conservation of its heritage
precincts.
Relocation and Development of Wholesale/Specialized Markets
The walled city has 22 specialized markets of different nature and serves as the
Central Business District. These are in the form of traditionalbazaars spread along
the roads and streets. It not only serves the wholesale and retail commercial needs
of the residents of the city, but also of the neighboring urban and rural settlements.
However, there is a need to relocate and redevelop a few of these wholesale and
specialized markets.
Pedestrianization
The city has narrow roads, especially in the walled city and near heritage areas.
These areas at present suffer from large influx of vehicular movement on the
leading to congestion. It severely affects Amritsar's quest to be a heritage city.
Considering the large number of residents living in the area, major trade and
commerce centers existing within the walled city, the Master Plan has proposed to
pedestrianize the walled city.
Waste Water Management
Almost 70% of the city is covered by a sewer network and as such generates a large
quantum of wastewater. Additionally, the Master Plan also notes that the entire
water released from the tanks of Golden Temple and other religious institutions
goes waste. This entire waste water, if managed efficiently, could augment the
city's water woes.

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