War Memorial facelift under cloud, society flags ‘poor’ quality of work

Raghav Guleria

Dharamsala, March 1

A sum of Rs 55 lakh was sanctioned for the renovation of the War Memorial at Dharamsala which is dedicated to the ‘sons of the soil’, who made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland. This amount being spent through the Public Works Department (PWD) was to raise protection walls and replace the granite slabs, with the names of the martyrs inscribed on them. The War Memorial Development Society has raised serious objections to the quality of work which is under progress.

According to Col KKS Dadwal, president of the society, the matter has already been raised with the PWD as well as the district administration. He said, “The renovation and the new construction is in its final stage, but sadly the durability of work is unsatisfactory. Despite the fact that the matter was reported to the PWD, no concrete remedial steps have been taken so far. The collapsing granite slabs, with the names of the martyrs, are a disrespect to the fallen soldier.”

Assistant Engineer K Atwal said, “The contractor instructed to replace the fallen slabs was not permitted to do the same by the society. I have no knowledge of any cracks appearing on the newly constructed protection walls.”

The War Memorial earlier known as ‘Shahid Samarak’ is the most devout place in the Dharamsala town. Spread in over 7.5 acres, this place came up when Chanderverker, a legislator conceived the idea, and in September 1977 it was dedicated to the public by then Chief Minister Shanta Kumar.

Subsequently a committee was formed in the year 2000 as the place was getting deteriorated due to lack of maintenance. The dedicated members of the ‘War Memorial Development Society’ who are mostly ex-servicemen are meticulously running the show with meagre collections from the nominal entry ticket and the parking fees. Fifteen employees are also being paid from these funds.

Member of Parliament Kishan Kapoor happens to be the only person who has supported the society. As an MLA and later as a minister he has helped the society with funds. Kapoor said, “It is a temple of worship for me as whatever we are today is because of the sacrifices made by these real heroes of the state.”