Rs 11 cr released for 18 monuments across Jammu region
Archives experts to assist in maintaining original architecture
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Aug 13: The much-needed restoration of 37 heritage sites across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is all set to begin as funds have been placed at the disposal of the Deputy Commissioners by the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, which will also provide expert advice to the Roads and Buildings Department in maintaining original architecture of these monuments.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that under the Scheme for Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture and Heritage in Jammu and Kashmir, funds have been released in respect of 35 heritage sites—-18 in Jammu province and 17 in Kashmir valley for start of repair and renovation works.
In order to ensure early start of work on these heritage sites strictly as per the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) already prepared by the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, the funds have been kept at the disposal of the Deputy Commissioners with the direction that repair, renovation and conservation works should be carried out without any deviation from the original architecture of the monuments/heritage sites.
They have further been told to ensure that the Roads and Buildings Department, which will be carrying out the works, uses appropriate material and construction technology so as to maintain the original character of the monuments.
The executing agency has also been asked to fulfill all codal formalities and ensure submission of monthly progress report (physical/financial) by or before 5th of every month to the respective Deputy Directors of Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums for onward submission to the Administrative Department.
It has also been decided that Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums will provide expert advice to the executing agency so as to ensure that original architecture of each and every heritage site is maintained during the restoration work.
As far as Jammu province is concerned, Rs 1.85 crore have been released for repair/renovation of Krimchi Fort, Jaganoo Fort, Charai Muttal and Ladden Kotli Fort in Udhampur district while as Rs 55 lakh have been provided for Jaffer Chak Masjid, Sumah Temple Akhnoor and Gurudwara Sundar Singh near Raghunath Bazaar Jammu.
Similarly, Rs 1.77 crore have been released for repair/renovation of Thein Fort, Jaggannath Temple near Jasrota Fort, Hanuman Temple near Jasrota Fort and Jasmergarh Fort at Jandi in Kathua district while as for Bamuchak Temple and Mahoregarh Fort in Samba district an amount of Rs one crore has been released.
For restoration of Ghoda Gali in Gool area of Ramban district, an amount of Rs 29.19 lakh has been released to the Deputy Commissioner Ramban while as an amount of Rs 5.35 crore has been sanctioned for restoration of Salal Fort in Batal Gala, Barood Khana at Salal Fort, Bhim Garh Fort and Bathing Ghat at Dera Baba Ji Shrine in Reasi district.
“The heritage sites of those districts which could not be taken up in Phase-I of the Scheme for Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture and Heritage will be considered in the Phase-II”, sources said, adding “in the next phase the district administrations shall also take up the remaining 115 sites (Sufi and Heritage sites) for related works”.
They disclosed that multi-dimensional approach for the revival of these sites has been taken into consideration which involves inclusion of some additional developmental directional and informational Boards, signages, public amenities, clean-drinking water facility, façade lighting, boundary wall etc over and above the structural component.
It is pertinent to mention here that a conceptual idea of “Heritage Mapping’ has also been prepared for creating a digital footprint of the heritage sites and linking it with Google maps to educate/ inform the stake-holders and individuals for benefit of the people of J&K UT. Once, with coordinated efforts, these sites are revived to their original positions the livelihood activities of local various stakeholders and locals will increase.
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