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Hindustan Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: To boost tourism: ₹25cr heritage project approved for Hussainiwala
The Punjab Heritage & Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) has received administrative approval of ₹24.99 crore for the development of the Cultural and Heritage Stretch at the Hussainiwala border in Ferozepur. The project, sanctioned under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, aims to elevate the site into a world-class tourist destination and boost the tourism potential of the border district. An additional ₹ 625.80 lakh has been set aside for streetscape development featuring digital projections to enrich the visitor experience (HT File) Sanjeev Tiwari, director, Punjab tourism, said the initiative is part of a comprehensive effort to develop infrastructure, enhance beautification, promote digital engagement and empower local communities. He stated that ₹23.66 crore has been allocated specifically for Destination Management Interventions, which include civil works such as the construction of a thematic gate, development of footpaths and roads, and MS structural work estimated at ₹843.09 lakh. An additional ₹625.80 lakh has been set aside for streetscape development featuring digital projections to enrich the visitor experience, he said. The project also includes the installation of a ₹55 lakh fountain system, park beautification and landscaping works costing ₹380.60 lakh, and upgrades to electrical infrastructure worth ₹334.27 lakh. For security and surveillance, CCTV cameras will be installed at a cost of ₹63.51 lakh. 'Sustainability is central to this initiative, with ₹31.90 lakh earmarked for an on-grid solar plant and RO water system under Green Tourism Interventions. To boost digital connectivity and visitor engagement, ₹51.32 lakh has been allotted for the development of a dedicated website and mobile application,' Tiwari said. 'To promote inclusive development and local economic participation, ₹25 lakh each has been earmarked for Skilling Interventions, including training and capacity building, and Tourism MSME Interventions, such as sensitization workshops for local entrepreneurs and service providers,' he added. Dr Harsh Bhola, a leading surgeon from the region, called the project a transformative step that will elevate Ferozepur's image and attract national and international tourists. He said the improved infrastructure and focus on heritage-centric experiences will position the district as a vibrant tourism hub. Puneet Jain, a young entrepreneur from Zira, said Hussainiwala's patriotic and historical importance makes it a natural draw for tourists. 'The site, which includes the National Martyrs Memorial—where freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev are cremated—already attracts visitors. The daily Indo-Pak Beating Retreat ceremony also draws hundreds of visitors. Recent additions like the VR museum and heritage train simulation have further enhanced the location's appeal.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Iconic light & sound show back at Hussainiwala
The iconic light and sound show at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Hussainiwala came back to life on Sunday after a 22-month hiatus. HT has highlighted in its report on June 10 that this was not functional since August 2023. The ₹5.7 crore installation—a tribute to India's revolutionary freedom fighters—had remained shut since August 2023 after being severely damaged by flooding from the Sutlej river. Punjab Tourism director Sanjeev Tiwari visited the site and confirmed the show's revival. 'We're ready to reopen it for the public and will officially hand it over to the Hussainiwala Trust starting tomorrow,' he said following an inspection of the restored infrastructure. First launched in November 2021 under the Union government's Swadesh Darshan scheme, the 41-minute multi-sensory show was created to honour freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Using projection mapping and immersive audio, it quickly became a major tourist attraction, offering a powerful retelling of India's freedom movement. The August 2023 floods caused extensive damage, including the destruction of five high-powered projectors. Although the project was developed and maintained by a private company under a five-year agreement, the company declined to fund repairs, arguing that flood damage qualified as a natural disaster and was beyond their contractual obligations. This led to prolonged delays in restoration. Highlighting its deeper significance, educationist Gurtej Singh Koharwala said, 'This isn't just a spectacle—it's a dynamic homage to revolutionaries like Chandra Shekhar Azad, BK Dutt, and Lala Lajpat Rai. Its revival will be vital for preserving our national memory.' With the show now back in operation, officials are hopeful that it will rekindle both public interest and a deeper emotional connection to India's Independence movement. At the National Martyrs' Memorial in Hussainiwala, visitors can now again experience a distinctive simulation of a train ride set in the pre-Partition era and was introduced here during the last Congress regime but lying defunct since August 2023 floods here. This experience takes place in a specially designed 36-seat railway coach equipped with LCD screens that showcase historical visuals of Lahore, such as the Lahore Railway Station and Kissa Khwani Bazaar, accompanied by a narrated commentary. The initiative was designed to deepen public understanding of the region's past and its historical ties to Lahore.
