HRIDAY Scheme: Restoration work on heritage projects way behind schedule

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 19

Though the Union government has initiated the Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) Scheme in Amritsar, the ongoing work on projects like restoration of the historic Ram Bagh Palace, Gobindgarh Fort and Heritage Village is running way behind schedule.

Officials of the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB), associated with the renovation and conservation of these projects, stated that conservation was invariably an elaborate project as it required taking care of minute details so that the historic authenticity of the place was not compromised.

A businessman PL Seth said, “The government has received Rs 80 crore under the HRIDAY project from the Centre. Investing the amount will bring about a sea change in the city.”

However, there are many gaps which need to be plugged. Deplorable traffic management, insanitary conditions, slow pace of conservation and restoration of the tourism projects are some of them.

Owing to the inordinate delay in the opening the tourist sites, business opportunities are slipping out of the hands of the tourism industry. One of the most potential tourist projects being delayed is Gobindgarh Fort, raised during the Sikh Misl period, besides extended and developed during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule. The fort is an example of special defence mechanism initiated by the Sikh army against artillery attacks.

The summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Ram Bagh is also under preservation for the past many years. The complex includes the summer palace of the Maharaja, fountains and Baradari Gardens, which replicate Shalimar Gardens of Lahore (Pakistan). The Union Ministry of Culture has reportedly approved Rs 200 crore to make Amritsar a tourist hub by undertaking projects to restore monuments to original shapes.

Ram Bagh also houses Ranjit Singh Panorama, which recreates the life of the legendary Maharaja. Through rare pictures and mannequins, the panorama recreates the glimpses of various battles (spread over 40 years), fought by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Interestingly, this panorama is larger and technically superior to that at Kurukshetra. However, the government failed to popularise it among tourists due to lack of promotion.

The heritage village, too, showcases traditional Punjabi rustic life, culture and cuisine. It is still under construction at Guru Nanak Dev University.

First thing tourists, coming out of the railway station, Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, bus stand and by their personal vehicles, encounter here is traffic mess. The traffic around bus stand and railway station has become unmanageable. Many accidents have been reported on the Airport road.

A hotelier, Surinder Singh, said, “Rampant encroachment, unauthorised and haphazard parking leave limited space for tourists to negotiate. What makes matter worse is that there are no sign boards suggesting directions to tourist offices located nearby. Inadequate or unmanaged parking lots around key tourist places and at popular residential areas reflect lack of foresightedness and coordination among various government departments.”

He said, “Besides, the traffic in and around the city is also in a mess and the situation deteriorates further on roads leading to the Golden Temple.”