ET Report
Jammu, Aug 19: Incessant rains in Jammu for the last few days have not only wreaked havoc in residential areas of the region but also took toll of the historic Bahu Fort, a portion of which collapsed while as in some parts cracks have developed after the foundation of the structure caved in on Saturday. Though lone Congress Minister Raman Bhalla, who is camping in the winter capital acted in a prompt manner to direct the concerned authorities to retrieve the damaged parts and restore glorious look to the majestic Fort, the moot question remains will this historic Fort meet the same fate as that of Mubarak mandi Heritage complex, the status of which virtually hangs in air despite the royal palace having been declared a heritage site .
Soon after the news of a portion of the Bahu Fort having collapsed due to rains, Raman Bhalla wasted no time in making on spot visit besides summoning the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and Archeological Survey of India (ASI), both of which have constituted a team of engineers who would assess the damage to the historic structure. The incident has left people of Jammu shocked for more than one reason. One that this structure is not just a historical monument reminiscent of Dogra rulers but it assumes significance from the religious point of view as the Fort houses an ancient temple of Goddess Kali which is thronged by hundreds of devotees everyday. Adjacent to the Bahu Fort is the park which is the only tourist spot Government has developed well in the city of temples. Both local people as also pilgrim tourists are perturbed due to collapse of a huge portion, said to be more than 50 ft, as inside the compound is the most reverred temple of Jammu.
As the Fort is one among historic monuments of the state, it is being looked after mainly by Archaeological Survey of India but two years back it had handed over the renovation work to JDA. While it is for concerned departments to look into the cause of the collapse at a time when renovation works was going on well, apprehensions and fears are being expressed in many quarters that given the fact that despite huge funds and prestigious agencies on the forefront of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, its restoration to pristine glory and work that would have strengthened it from further soil erosion has remained elusive and the entire royal palace remains enveloped in layers of neglect after neglect.
As the heavy rains triggered fresh landslides along the weak portions of Circular Road, also near the areas which has the Tawi view side portions of the Mahal atop the hillock, concerned department had pressed men and machinery into service on Monday, but surprisingly this was only a cosmetic approach as these machines were seen clearing only the mounds of soil that came crushing on the circular road due to land slides . While there is a confused state of affairs as for the progress of the work on this heritage complex by prestigious agencies like INTACH and other departments is concerned, not much has been done to protect the Palace walls from Tawi side with concrete cementing technique which is seen only at one point. |
