Chandigarh, June 5: A new ₹12 crore monumental entry gateway at the Shambhu border and an upgraded cultural corridor in Sri Anandpur Sahib are moving into the development stage following state executive approvals. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led a comprehensive review of the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department to clear the final blueprints for both regional initiatives.
The twin projects aim to visually express the state’s traditional craftsmanship and improve traffic flow around major historic destinations. The approved plan for Sri Anandpur Sahib establishes a continuous pedestrian and visitor network linking Quilla Sri Anandgarh Sahib directly to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and adjacent historic Gurdwaras.
“The proposed Heritage Street at Sri Anandpur Sahib will begin from the roundabout near Quilla Anandgarh Sahib and extend to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Park, Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib and Gurdwara Bhora Sahib,” Mann affirmed, describing the corridor as a significant upgrade for visiting pilgrims.
The Chief Minister stated that the implementation process would feature rigorous administrative oversight to prevent local transit delays during construction.
“The design will be duly approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and other competent authorities,” Mann maintained. “A high-powered committee will also be constituted to oversee the smooth and hassle-free implementation and execution of the project.”
The state’s entry point at the Shambhu border will undergo a major aesthetic transformation under the approved plan. The highway installation is designed to blend with existing National Highways Authority of India infrastructure while functioning as a distinct landmark.
“The structure will span the central median and flank the service roads, creating a striking visual identity at the gateway to Punjab,” Mann noted. “Designed as a monumental tribute to Punjab’s cultural heritage and traditional architectural language, it will incorporate detailed craftsmanship that reflects the soul of the state.”
The physical layout incorporates distinct artistic components, using a structural theme based on the numerical value of five to honour the state’s geographical history.
“The gate will feature stone cladding, FRP work, intricate jali patterns, Phulkari-inspired artwork and several other elements reflecting Punjab’s rich artistic traditions,” Mann declared. “The design concept honours the etymology of ‘Panj-ab’, meaning the land of five waters, and this idea has been architecturally represented through a rhythm of fives, with five domes on each side of the gateway symbolising the unity of the state’s five rivers.”
The final project parameters were reviewed alongside Cabinet Ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Tarunpreet Singh Sond, who will help supervise departmental coordination.
