Fix timeline for Mubarak Mandi renovation work, says Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo
Srinagar, February 24
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today made his maiden visit to the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex here and took first hand appraisal of all the restoration and conservation works being carried out there, a government spokesman said in a statement here.
Preserve its aesthetic appeal
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has directed officials to restore the original magnificence of the complex and preserve the complex’s aesthetic appeal befitting its past glory. Government spokesperson
“The Chief Secretary went around different heritage buildings of the complex and took cognisance of the conservation works either done or being carried out there. He enquired about the subsequent plans of the society about adaptive reuse of the structures after their restoration,” the statement added.
“Dulloo also asked about the timelines fixed for completion of each conservation and beautification work. He called for carrying out each work with due diligence as the task of heritage conservation is quite technical in nature,” the statement said.
“He directed for restoring the original magnificence of the complex besides preserving its aesthetic appeal befitting its past glory. He went inside the renovated Darbar Hall and Dogra Museum besides other structures like Raja Ram Singh’s and Raja Amar Singh Palaces where work is going on,” the statement reads.
“He also examined other heritage structures like Pink Hall, Gole Ghar, Sheesh Mahal, Maharani Charak Mahal,Guleri Mahal and other internal structures. He called for making a robust plan for their effective conservation and reuse taking the architecture, place and space of each structure into consideration,” the government spokesman said.
During this visit, the spokesman said, the Principal Secretary, Culture, Suresh Kumar Gupta highlighted the significance of this heritage complexin promotion of local art and culture. He also informed about the plans for adaptive reuse of the conserved structures besides the other aspects of this mega project.
Executive Director, MMJHS, Deepika Sharma gave the overall introduction about the aims and objectives of conservation of this complex. She detailed out the works carried out so far, the requirement of funds and the expenditure made till date, the spokesman added.
“She also explained the future reuse plans for different structures to be used as display galleries, museums, library and cultural centres. Besides she threw light on other aspects of restoration works to be taken-up in the times to come,” the statement added.
“The CEO, JSCL, Rahul Yadav provided details of projects carried out under Smart City Mission. He mentioned that the beautification projects like illumination of the completed projects had been done by the JSCL besides the ongoing work on cafeteria is being done by the company itself,” the statement said.
“It was given out that in 2005, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex was declared as a protected monument and in 2006, Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS) was constituted to takeover this complex for its protection, preservation, maintenance and restoration works,” the statement reads.
“It was further given out that the first vision document for its conservation was prepared by INTACH in the year 2008 and a comprehensive master plan was later prepared and approved in 2019.”
