Restoration work stalled, courtesy fund crunch

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 17

The restoration work Qila Mubarak has been stalled due to fund crunch.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had undertaken the restoration work of the entire fort. Though it has completed several portions, it has stalled the work. The ASI has requested the Union government to provide funds to carry out the work.

The ASI had prepared a proposal for funds and sent it to the Union government for its approval but it has not received any response yet.

While a large portion of the fort has already been restored by the ASI and some portions of Rani Mahal, which is the major attraction of the fort, was restored only a few months ago, the façade above the main entrance to the fort is in a dilapidated condition and crying for attention.

The restoration work of Rani Mahal and the wall above the gate is quite critical as it is located exactly above the only entry and exit point of the fort. As a gurdwara is also located inside the fort, a large number of devotees visit the fort every day.

It is believed that queen Razia Sultan was kept at the Rani Mahal which has several jharokhas (windows). As per information, it is important to restore the Rani Mahal as ceilings are made of wood and the pillars supporting the ceilings are also of wooden.

A local ASI official said, “The fort was damaged due to poor maintenance and lack of upkeep over the years. Over the past five years, we are restoring it in phases. We resume the renovation work when we receive grants.”

The renovation work of Qila Mubarak is going on under the supervision of Chief Conservation Assistant Tarak Singh.

He said, “Almost a year ago, we had prepared a proposal at an estimated cost of Rs 2.70 crore and uploaded the same on the web portal of the ASI. The estimated cost was revised when the GST was implemented. The cost is getting revised with the change in labour charges. Our priority is the restoration of Rani Mahal, the central atrium of the fort, and one of the rooms of the gurdwara. The restoration of the outer walls of the fort will be taken up in the next phase in 2018.”

However, Tarak Singh hoped that the funds would be released soon.