Mubark Mandi restoration marked by delay

Preserving the rich archaeological and cultural heritage of Dogra rulers in Jammu and Kashmir is proving to be a daunting task for the Omar Abdullah-led coalition Government.Despite submitting detailed project reports (DPR) prepared by INTACH- the leading consultants in the field of art and cultural heritage — to the Indian Government, the State Government has nothing much to boast of in its report card.

Against the projected demand of approximately Rs 300 crore required for maintenance of this heritage complex till date the Centre has released a small amount  of Rs 3 crore against a sanctioned amount of Rs 4.37 crore to carry out renovation and restoration work of High Court complex and Army headquarter building.

“State Government constituted a committee, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society (MMHS) in 2006 with the sole objective of restoring the pristine grandeur of royal buildings but all in vain as till date nothing more has been done to save this historical complex,” says a local resident.

The 13th Finance Commission has recommended Rs 50 crore for the conservation of this important project but the State Government is yet to receive its first installment to expedite the renovation work.

“Although, the State Government was expected to get a lions’ share of Rs 25.42 crore from the Ministry of Tourism for its mega project consisting of renovation work of four heritage buildings but it is still awaiting formal sanction,” sources in MMHS added.

Sources further claimed that after constituting the heritage society, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) was also appointed for preparing a vision document, and had submitted proposals to the tune of Rs 232.92 crore to renovate. Whereas after including the cost of conservation of basements and other buildings, the total cost of the project was pegged at Rs 296 crore (approximately).

The residents of the area now fear that the mighty complexes, which were the insignia of the royal memorabilia and seat of governance for the erstwhile Dogra rulers, will fade into oblivion, if corrective measures are not initiated to remove the illegally parked vehicles.

When contacted, MMHS, AK Sharma said, “After INTACH submitted its DPR, we had received a sum of Rs 3 crore for High Court complex and Army headquarters building from the Centre. The Archaeological Survey of India had carried out the renovation or restoration work but at present the conservation work in the Mubarak Mandi heritage complex is completely on hold in the absence of receipt of money.”

“Moreover, the work of wooden paneling on the roof of complex is still incomplete; this work needs special architecture and money. Till, the government sanctions enough money the work would remain stalled by ASI and result would be delaying of the entire project” he maintained.

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