Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 17: A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court comprising Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice M A Chowdhary has issued several directions to the respondents in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking restoration of historic Mubarak Mandi complex.
In the order passed on April 5, 2023, Division Bench had observed that as per the project timeline furnished by the respondents on 13.03.2018, the entire work was expected to be completed by 31.03.2023, however, what we witnessed on the spot was contrary to the timeline furnished by none other than the respondents themselves.
The DB had impressed upon the authorities present on the spot to increase the manpower to ensure the completion of the historical/protected monument with promptitude. During the visit of High Court Judges it was told to the Division Bench that out of 25 buildings, five are permanently lost and out of remaining 20 buildings/projects, presently the renovation of six projects including Ram Singh’s Queen Palace, Darbar Hall, Dogra Museum, Raja Ram Singh Palace, Raja Amar Singh Palace and Central Courtyard have been undertaken. The authorities present on the spot had assured the visiting Judges that six projects shall be completed by the end of this year.
“No doubt, the involvement of advanced technologies and skilled labour for such historical monument makes it difficult to keep a project on the scheduled track. Coupled with this, are innate uncertainties and sophistication in the physical, financial and economic environment in which such projects are executed. However, the breach of deadlines or timelines would escalate the project cost by many notches”, the DB said, adding “we hope and expect that the authorities concerned, this time would stick to the timeline”.
Insofar as the remaining buildings/projects are concerned, DB have been apprised that DPR has been submitted to the Government of India and funds are awaited and projects will take six to seven years for completion after the approval of the DPR and sanction of funds.
Vishal Sharma, DSGI present in the court assured that he will get the approval of the DPR as also release of the funds expedited. DB directed DSGI to file a detailed affidavit in this regard by or before the next date of hearing.
DB further observed, “another aspect of the case is conservation of old court building located just outside the main complex near main Deodi enroute Chowk Chabutra, the building was used for housing the court record and the court record is still lying in the building”, adding “as per the report, the courtyard is used as a parking by the locals”.
“The matter was taken up with the Registry and we have been told that the office of the Registrar General vide Communication No. 1382/infat dated 12.04.2018 requested the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to provide some alternative space for storing the old record housed in the building as no space is available in this court or in the District Courts for shifting the records/items”, the DB said and directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to file an affidavit in this regard so that said building is vacated and possession thereof is handed over to the authorities.
DB further ordered that till the record is shifted and the possession is handed over, the authorities including Inspector General of Police (IGP), Traffic Jammu shall ensure that courtyard of the building is preserved and locals are not allowed to use it as a parking place to prevent any further damage to the monument.
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