Jallianwala Bagh set for Aug 15 opening

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 7

The ongoing renovation work which is in its phase I at the Jallianwala Bagh is on the verge of completion. The memorial’s doors are likely to be thrown open to public on August 15.

Since it is located in close proximity to the Golden Temple, which witnesses millions of visitors, the visiting hours will be extended to ensure that people have ample time to visit the memorial after sunset. It is learnt that a high-profile team of the Union Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has scheduled a visit to the historic site on July 13 to review the developments before making an official announcement.

The memorial has been lying closed since February 15. The Union Ministry of Culture had announced to open it by April 12, but the renovation work was disrupted owing to the Covid-19-induced lockdown. The next deadline was set at June 15, but it was further extended to July 31.

MP Shwait Malik, who is also a member of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust, said he had proposed to extend the visiting hours till 9 pm at least. “The proposal to extend the visiting hours has received positive response from the trust members. We have improved facilities, introduced modern digital lights and sound show, documentaries and special light arrangements for late evening programmes,” he said.

The restoration work and allied services worth Rs 19.36 crore was being carried out by the Ministry of Culture under the supervision of the ASI. As part of the project, entry and exit points have been repositioned, the narrow passage and the green belt have been redesigned with new lightings. The martyrs’ well, from where 120 bodies were believed to be recovered, too has got a new structure on its surrounding. The old wire mesh-studded structure with six small ventilating windows covering the well has given way to a freshly designed concrete structure.

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