Pillar of 118-yr-old protected monument collapses

Praful Chander Nagpal

Fazilka, July 2

A pillar and a portion of the roof of the main gate of 118-year-old protected monument Raghuvar Bhawan have collapsed.

One of the three main pillars and roof of the unattended building, which had acquired heritage status, collapsed all of a sudden last night. It was noticed by historian Lachhman Dost this morning. Dost spearheaded an agitation to get the monument a heritage status three years ago.

He said three rooms, a portion of the roof and stairs had already collapsed following “callous attitude” of the successive governments. “The remaining building is also in shambles and can collapse any moment,” Dost added.

After prolonged agitation, the state government gave Raghuvar Bhawan a heritage status in 2016, but not even a single penny has been spent on the building located on the Freedom Fighter road. “The building requires immediate attention to save it from total ruin,” said Dost.

Local philanthropist Seth Sunder Mal Bansal had got the building constructed in 1901 after the name of his only son Raghuvar, who died young. Sunder Mal and his family members died in 1940s and none came forward to take care of the building.

Sorry state of affairs 

• A pillar and a portion of the roof of the main gate of 118-year-old protected monument Raghuvar Bhawan have collapsed.
• One of the three main pillars and roof of the unattended building, which had acquired heritage status, collapsed all of a sudden on Monday. It was noticed by historian Lachhman Dost this morning. Dost spearheaded an agitation to get the monument a heritage status three years ago.