Jallianwala facelift project stalled, fresh deadline June 15

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 9

The restoration and renovation work of Jallianwala Bagh has been stalled and the authorities have pushed the deadline of the project to June 15.

Earlier, the first phase of the project was targeted to be completed by the first week of April ahead of the commemoration of 101th year of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to be the chief guest on the occasion.

A board has been put up restricting the entry of visitors till June 15. Earlier, the entry to the bagh was restricted till April 12.

MP Shwait Malik, who is also a member of Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust, said the project had been stalled for sometime in the wake of Covid outbreak.

“We have no option but to shelve the renovation work in adherence to the social distancing norm. We didn’t want huddling of labourers, hence the decision. PM Modi would have been the chief guest at the 101th anniversary programme, but it was not meant to be. Now, we expect the project to be completed by mid-June,” he said.

The work of restoration and allied services worth Rs19.36 crore is being carried out by the Union Ministry of Culture under the supervision of Archaeological Survey of India. It is being executed by National Buildings Construction Corporation (India) Ltd.

A new exit point with a 15-feet-wide gate has been made. The old structure around the martyrs’ well has been replaced with a new structure having glass walls on its surroundings for giving a clear view of inside the well. Besides, a 50-seat auditorium on the first floor is being revamped with 3-D projection system to showcase a documentary film.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.