Chandigarh, July 12 - Internationally acclaimed US-based architect Moshe Safdie will beautify the surroundings of the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, in Amritsar city.

Safdie, who has been involved in the unique Khalsa Heritage Centre (KHC) at Anandpur Sahib - the birth place of 'Khalsa Panth' in 1699 - will also give a facelift to the corridor (galiara) around the Golden Temple.

The decision to hand over these projects to Safdie was taken at a meeting of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal with the architect and his team here Sunday.

Safdie said he would make a detailed presentation on the beautification plan to the Punjab government.

The area from the historic Jallianwala Bagh till the Golden Temple would be beautified, he said. Badal asked him to complete the project within two years.

He said the existing approved plan for beautification of the corridor around the Golden Temple would also be an integral part of his composite plan.