The five-phase scheme aimed at widening surroundings by clearing multi-storeyed buildings and narrow lanes around the temple. These had hampered security operations during Operation Bluestar and were considered a future security risk. Execution of the scheme necessitated demolition of certain buildings and shops around the temple and acquisition of some areas. Alternative sites were to be offered to the oustees and compensation paid for acquisitions. Work started on the project after initial resistance by those affected.

Out of the five phases of the Galliara Scheme, three have been completed but the remaining two, the moststrategic ones, await implementation. The Central Government had sanctioned Rs 70 crore for the project against the initial estimated cost of Rs 80 crore. So far, Rs 82 crore has been spent on it, Narinderjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar who is also director of the project, told this paper.

While Rs 37 crore was spent on acquiring private land measuring about 15 acres, Rs 10 crore was spent on rehabilitation of the oustees, including 200 shopkeepers. `Now we are left with only Rs 3 crore against the minimum requirement of Rs 74 crore to complete the fourth and fifth phases', Narinderjit said.

The three phases were completed in '97 but little progress has been made during the last one-and-a-half years due to political interference in shifting of a market build by the Improvement Trust near Ghantaghar facing the temple.

A S Narang, superintending engineer for project, said that work on the fourth phase was unlikely to start in the near future but site-plan of the fifth phase - from Ghantaghar toGuru Ram Dass Sarai - had been approved and work would begin shortly. An estimate of Rs 54 crore had been sent to the state government for sanction.

But lack of funds have hampered further implementation of the scheme, it is learnt.

B D Tandon, Minister for Local Bodies, who did stocktaking last month, had promised to call a meeting in Chandigarh to arrange funds for phase five. About 42 shops of the Improvement Trust market are to be shifted to the backyard of the Sangalwala Akhara. The entire building of the akhara is to be acquired.