SGPC’s apathy delays restoration of Bunga Ramgarhia

AMRITSAR: The restoration work of the historic ‘Bunga Ramgarhia’ has come to a virtual halt due to official apathy. The SGPC has invited strong criticism for its negligent approach towards the only original structure located in the Golden Temple ‘parikrama’.

A view of Bunga Ramgarhia at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Photo: Vishal Kumar

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 22

The restoration work of the historic ‘Bunga Ramgarhia’ has come to a virtual halt due to official apathy. The SGPC has invited strong criticism for its negligent approach towards the only original structure located in the Golden Temple ‘parikrama’. Although the restoration was meant to be completed within a year of its start, it has not been completed in the last seven years. The SGPC said the delay occurred as the revised labour rates had not been finalised.

The final phase of the project has been left midway. Sources said after the demise of Ramgarhia community leader Onkar Sandhu, who headed the All-India Ramgarhia Federation, the restoration work had slowed down as Sandhu was the driving force behind the project.

Daljit Singh Bedi, SGPC Additional Secretary, said the work was stalled as the revised labour rates were yet to be certified by the SGPC’s sub-committee. “We will expedite the process. Two phases have been completed, while the third has not with electrification and flooring yet to be finished,” he said.

Bedi further said apart from conservation experts, they had roped in experts from the GNDU to help them keep the original character of the building.

Renowned historian Surinder Kochhar said this historic treasure had bore the brunt of Operation Bluestar during which its room and passages were demolished. On the insistence of the Ramgarhia Sikh community, the SGPC undertook its restoration work on April 18, 2008, in collaboration with the Archaeological Department. “The day this historic structure regains its glory, it would attract thousands of visitors,” he said.

However, the left wing of the building lost its original character with kar sewaks building walls under the arches on the ground floor and converting verandahs into rooms. The brickwork (Nanakshahi bricks) was plastered and painted at many places.

The building’s basement accommodates a hall where Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia used to hold his court — ‘Diwan-e-Khas’. The royal seat of the Maharaja at ‘Diwan-e-Khas’ is placed lower than the Harmandar Sahib in respect of the Guru.

The basement also has a prison, a treasury room and a well. The middle basement and the lower basement have a room each.