Rs 65 cr to expedite renovation of Mubarak Mandi complex

Amit Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 18

The state has shown some seriousness to infuse life into the crumbling Mubarak Mandi complex, the royal residence of erstwhile the Dogra rulers in J&K, as nearly Rs 65 crore has been sanctioned to expedite the renovation work, which is moving at a snail’s pace.

Rigzin Samphel, Secretary, Tourism, said the state had sanctioned Rs 65 crore for the revival of the Mubarak Mandi complex.

“Recently, in a meeting under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Rs 65 crore was sanctioned for the revival of the Mubarak Mandi complex,” he said. He promised that the work will begin soon.

The historic complex, spread over 14 acres, is steeped in history. The oldest building in the palace complex dates back to 1824. The Centre had announced Rs 296 crore, including Rs 52 crore under the 13th Finance Commission, for the renovation of the entire complex. There were 29 projects under the renovation plan.

The restoration work on the dilapidated Raja Amar Singh Palace, Dogra Art Museum, Badi Deodi, Royal Court, Gadvai Khana and ‘mahal’ of Raja Ram Singh’s queens at the complex is already in progress.

The renovation work on the complex has been moving at a snail’s pace. It started in 2008 but was caught in red tape after the Archaeological Survey of India expressed reservations over the estimate for the completion of renovation work and manpower shortage.

Rigzin Samphel said the famous Raghunath Bazar would also be restructured and the state had sanctioned Rs 2 crore for it. “It will be restructured under pilgrimage tourism and some more funds will be released if required,” he said.

Work began in 2008 

• The renovation work on the hsitoric Mubarak Mandi complex has been moving at a snail’s pace
• It started in 2008 but was caught in red tape after the Archaeological Survey of India expressed reservations over the estimate for the completion of renovation work and manpower shortage