Srinagar, Mar 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday that work is ongoing on 45 projects, including forts and religious sites, as part of a scheme for the conservation of heritage sites in the Union Territory.
Seventy-three additional projects have been identified under Phase-II of the UT-level scheme for the revival, restoration, preservation, and maintenance of architecture and heritage, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the portfolio of the Department of Culture.
In a written reply to an unstarred question by National Conference legislator Farooq Ahmad Shah in the Assembly, CM Omar Abdullah said that no heritage conservation projects sanctioned by the central government are currently being executed by the Department of Culture or the Department of Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, he noted that the J&K government has sanctioned a scheme dedicated to the revival, restoration, preservation, and maintenance of architecture and heritage in the Union Territory.
“Between 2019 and 2024, 15 projects were undertaken under the capital expenditure (CAPEX) budget, while work is in progress on 33 projects under the first phase of the government scheme, which commenced in 2022. Additionally, seven projects at the Mubarak Mandi heritage complex are under renovation and restoration,” chief minister said.
Furthermore, detailed project reports have been prepared for 73 projects covering various forts, monuments, religious places, and heritage buildings under Phase-II of the government scheme.
CM Omar said that Rs 310.71 crore has been sanctioned for CAPEX and the UT-level scheme to cover the first and second phases. To date, Rs 86.40 crore has been utilized for the CAPEX and first phase of the projects.
Regarding the restoration of the Mubarak Mandi heritage complex in Jammu, Rs 59.69 crore has been sanctioned for seven projects, with works worth Rs 17.70 crore already completed. Mubarak Mandi, located in the heart of the old walled city overlooking the Tawi River, was the royal residence of the Dogra dynasty rulers until 1925, when the last Maharaja moved to the Hari Niwas Palace in northern Jammu.
Declared a protected monument in 2005, the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS) was constituted in 2006 to oversee its protection, preservation, maintenance, and restoration. The first vision document for its conservation was prepared by INTACH in 2008, followed by a comprehensive master plan approved in 2019. The complex has been zoned into six areas: Public Zone, Knowledge Centre, Interpretation and Collection Galleries, Lifestyle, Experiential Spaces, and Crafts Bazaar.
Under this master plan, Rs 144.15 crore will be allocated to various sub-projects within the heritage complex. While some sub-projects have been completed, work on others is ongoing.
Highlighting the broader conservation efforts, the chief minister Omar said that the government scheme launched in 2022 aims to ensure value-based restoration, revival, preservation, maintenance, and promotion of the heritage and architectural values of Jammu and Kashmir.
Legal and systematic protection is being ensured through the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology, and Museums, with methodical surveys conducted to identify historical monuments and heritage sites for necessary restoration, he added.
“Structured awareness campaigns are being organized to educate local communities on the importance of heritage conservation and promote heritage tourism. Additionally, 3D mapping and digital archives are being created to document heritage sites, while ancient manuscripts are being digitized for long-term preservation. This initiative will facilitate the creation of an online database for greater accessibility and protection of historical records, CM added.
He said special measures are being taken to protect heritage sites from natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and extreme weather conditions. Climate change impact assessments will aid in long-term conservation planning, while efforts are being made to safeguard sites from urban encroachment and vandalism.
Meanwhile, according to official data, a total of 128 heritage sites across Jammu and Kashmir are undergoing restoration under different schemes. These include 15 projects under CAPEX, 33 projects under Phase-I of the heritage revival scheme, 73 projects under Phase-II, and seven projects dedicated to the restoration of the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex in Jammu.
The restoration projects are spread across various districts of J&K, with major works underway at prominent historical and religious sites.
Projects Under CAPEX Budget include Mansar Haveli, Samba – ₹61 lakh (₹19.61 lakh spent), Samba Fort, Samba – ₹113.57 lakh (₹77.91 lakh spent), General Zorawar Singh Palace, Reasi – ₹104.92 lakh (₹0.81 lakh spent), Narstahan Monument, Tral, Pulwama – ₹172.29 lakh (₹107.60 lakh spent), Old SPS Museum Building, Srinagar – ₹252.40 lakh (₹208.28 lakh spent), Hari Parbat Fort, Srinagar – ₹237.97 lakh (₹155.50 lakh spent), New Museum Building at Lal Mandi, Srinagar – ₹7167.45 lakh (₹6277.34 lakh spent), Installation of wooden racks at Shergari Complex, Srinagar – ₹39.51 lakh (₹25.25 lakh spent), Monument Conservation at Mughal Hamam, Achabal, Anantnag – ₹81.60 lakh (₹35.61 lakh spent), Establishment of New Art Museum at Old Secretariat, Srinagar (Phase-II) – ₹200.98 lakh (₹43.89 lakh spent)
Further projects included Protected Monument Restoration, Peer Mitha, Jammu – ₹39.97 lakh (₹10.33 lakh spent), Shahi Masjid, Nowshera, Rajouri – ₹13.84 lakh (₹6.78 lakh spent), Goverdhan Parihaspora Monument, Pattan, Baramulla – ₹39.80 lakh (₹0 spent), Sheikh Ibrahim Monument, Srinagar – ₹80.53 lakh (₹0 spent)
It further said that projects Under the Heritage Revival Scheme (Phase-I & Phase-II): Ganpatyar Temple, Srinagar – ₹62.64 lakh (₹36.46 lakh spent), Shrine of Syed Mohammad Hussain Mazandarani, Chattabal, Srinagar – ₹43.44 lakh (₹12.80 lakh spent), Mangleshwar Bhairav Asthapan, Brari Nambal, Srinagar – ₹162.61 lakh (₹93.54 lakh spent), Ram Mandir, Safakadal, Srinagar – ₹216.92 lakh (₹89.81 lakh spent), Saint Mary’s Church, Gulmarg, Baramulla – ₹203.21 lakh (₹35.46lakh spent).
“Additionally, restoration and conservation projects for the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex in Jammu are also in progress as part of a dedicated effort to revive the historic site,” it said.
