Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 23: Former Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Gulchain Singh Charak alleged that some conspiracy seems to have hatched by some people to derail prestigious Mubarak Mandi heritage conservation project and maintained that no progress has been seen on the project in last one year.
Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Charak regretted that during his visit to the complex yesterday, he was pained to notice that conservation work has been stalled. There is no much progress seen in last one year after he resigned from the post of chairman of the executive committee. He said a Society was created when he was Minister for the fast restoration and conservation of 22 buildings of erstwhile Maharajas’ of J&K.
Mr Charak said re-use plan of each and every building was also prepared with the help of INTACH, New Delhi. Rs 50 crore were approved under 13 FC, Rs 25 crore under Tourism mega project and a Rs 11 crore project was submitted to the Government for onward submission to Ministry of Culture for Royal Dogra Art Museum. And to give boost to the economy of surrounding areas beautification plan were to be prepared and funds were supposed to be arranged through JNURUM/ Plan funds of HUDD. Unfortunately, no progress has been witnessed. Some elements within the system and outside, are hell bent to derail this prestigious project of Jammu region for which all the political leaders of this region are equally responsible and owe an answer to the people of this region.
Senior Congress leader further criticised the decision regarding shifting of location of proposed ropeway trolley base from Mubarak Mandi to Peer Kho and then directly to Maha Maya temple/ Bagh-e- Bahu. He said another attempt has been made to keep away tourists from Mubarak Mandi heritage site. He alleged that no meeting of the Governing body of the Committee has been held in last one year and urged the Chief Minister, who is chairman of the committee to hold this much delayed meet shortly.
Mr Charak also expressed concern over the neglect of Uttervehni and Purmandal religious places and alleged that Tourism Department has closed its eyes towards its importance and promotion. He also demanded probe into the large number of deaths on Shri Amarnath Yatra route and stressed for adequate medical facilities for the pilgrims.
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