Jallianwala Bagh revamp nears completion

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, July 17

Rajya Sabha MP Shwait Malik today held a meeting with officials of the Archeological Survey of India regarding renovation of the Jallianwala Bagh.

Malik, who is also a member of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust, said around 80 per cent work had been completed. The site had been closed for the public since February 15 and the restoration would get over by July-end.

“Jallianwala Bagh is among the most-visited monuments, but it was lying neglected and lacked basic amenities. I repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament and apprised PM Narendra Modi about the dilapidated condition. The Centre granted a package to renovate it,” he said.

In November 2018, the then Union Minister of Culture Dr Mahesh Sharma was left fuming after he saw the poor upkeep and directed officials concerned to prepare a blueprint for its makeover.

Malik had immediately issued a sum of Rs 10 lakh from his Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme. The package was announced by the Centre as a part of commemorating the 100th year of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Restoration work and allied services worth Rs 19.36 crore are being done under the Ministry of Culture.

In the first phase, the developmental works include a five-minute light and sound show in Hindi, Punjabi and English for visitors. The entry and exit points have been repositioned, walk-in through a narrow passage has sculptures on both sides of the wall and the landscape comprises a ‘white lilies pond’. Now, a glass wall panel surrounds the Martyrs’ Well and passage from the entrance to the well is also being redesigned.