CHANDIGARH: A smoke-free zone would be demarcated around the Golden Temple at Amritsar to shield the historic shrine from increasing pollution in its vicinity.

Punjab Health and Environment Minister Bikram Singh Majiththa said the state government was alarmed at the reports of damage to the historic temple due to rising pollution and has asked the Punjab Pollution Control Board to demarcate a pollution free-zone around it in which no vehicle would be allowed and all activities that create smoke would be barred.

The step would help prevent the corrosion of golden plates of the temple, he added.

The Minister was speaking to reporters after handing over appointment letters to 27 beneficiaries recruited in the public health department on compassionate ground.

Speaking about the progress on the World Bank aided Rs 1,280 crore rural water supply project, Majithia said he has already written a letter to all MLAs of Punjab to give a list of villages in their respective constituencies for inclusion in the project.