Chandigarh July 30:
            To give further impetus to the planned urban development in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal gave in principal approval to the master plans of Jalandhar, Patiala and Gobindgarh under the Punjab Regional and Town Planning Development Act.
A decision to this effect was taken by Mr Badal during the 19th meeting of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning Development Board held here under his chairmanship this evening. Stating this here, a spokesman for the Punjab government said that the master plans for 13 out of 77 cities/towns had been cleared so far with the approval of these three master plans.
The master plans prepared for Jalandhar, Patiala and Gobindgarh would not only ensure the integrated and planned development of these cities but also stall their unplanned and haphazard growth. A project on the lines of the Aerocity (Mohali) would also be developed in Jalandhar.