JAMMU, Feb 26: Several projects, which were initiated in the year 2022 under the Scheme for Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture and Heritage in different districts of jammu division, are yet to be completed by the Public Works Department. This has been viewed seriously by the Government, which has now issued directions for intensifying the restoration efforts and ensuring visible progress on the ground in respect of all these projects.
The scheme was approved by the Administrative Council in the month of July 2021 after noticing that in spite of having strong significance, several religious and historic monuments in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory are battling for their existence and identity.
In the month of April 2022, the Executive Committee constituted for implementation of scheme accorded sanction to the execution of 18 projects in Jammu division in Phase-I. After completion of all the formalities, all these projects were initiated in the year 2022.
“However, several projects are yet to be fully completed although March 31, 2025 is the deadline fixed by the Government”, official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding “out of 18, only seven projects have been shown as 100% completed in the official records while as work on one project could not be started because of some unavoidable circumstances”.
Giving project wise details, they said that finishing and repair work is still under progress in respect of Raghunathji Temple at Sumah in Akhnoor. In respect of Thein Fort in Kathua, 40% work under Part-A and 55% under Part-B has been completed so far.
About repair and renovation of Bamuchak Temple in Samba, sources informed that 85% work has been completed till ending January 2025 and there are remote chances of completion of all the works by ending March. Similarly, 85% repair and restoration work has been completed on Mahoregarh Fort in Samba.
Regarding restoration of Salal Fort at Batal Gala in Reasi, sources disclosed that work was allotted but could not be taken up because of inordinate delay in grant of clearance by the Forest Department. Likewise, additional work could not be started at Barood Khana of Salal Fort due to some land dispute. However, 100% work has been completed on other components.
As far as construction of Bathing Ghat at Dera Babaji Shrine in Reasi district is concerned, sources said that only 25% work has been completed till date. “Around 80% work has been completed in respect of repair and renovation of Krimchi Fort Udhampur while as 85% progress has been achieved in respect of restoration of Jaganu Fort, also in Udhampur”, sources informed.
Regarding construction of boundary wall at Charai Muttal in Udhampur, sources said that 90% work has been completed and hopefully remaining work will be executed before ending March this year. As far as Ghoda Gali in Gool area of Ramban is concerned, 50% work has been completed so far for want of forest clearance, which is still awaited.
The projects which have been completed 100% are repair and renovation of Ladden Kotli Fort in Udhampur, restoration of Bhim Ghar Fort Reasi, repair and restoration of Jasmergarh Fort at Jandi in Hiranagar area of Kathua, Hanuman Temple near Jasrota Fort in Kathua, Jaggannath Temple near Jasrota Fort in Kathua and repair and renovation of Sundar Singh Gurdwara jammu .
“The status of all these projects was discussed in a high-level meeting held few days back and accordingly directions were issued to the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums to get the restoration work intensified at all the places to ensure visible progress on ground”, sources said, adding “the department has also been asked to utilize released funds effectively to meet project deadlines”.
It is pertinent to mention here that these projects are being executed by the R&B Department under the close supervision of respective Deputy Commissioners, who are supposed to pass strict instructions to the executing agency for gearing up the work so as to avoid further delays.
