 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 27: In a bid to preserve and conserve heritage property and cultural monuments, Jammu and Kashmir Government has undertaken renovation work of the historic “Mansar Haveli” and fixed September 2021 deadline for its completion.
Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums as per CAPEX BUDGET 2019 under State Sector last year released funds to tourism for renovation of historic monuments.
“An estimated cost of Rs 68 lakhs was sanctioned last year to conserve “Mansar Haveli” out of which Rs 40 lakhs was released to set the work into motion,” Muneer-Ul-Islam, Director, Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums here told UNI on Saturday.
He said that due to some circumstances in 2019 in Jammu and Kashmir, the conservation work could not take off but it started few days ago.
“It is a sensitive work and cannot be taken hurriedly, so we have fixed Sept 2021 deadline to conserve the structure of historic importance,” said the Director adding “if God forbids and work gets delayed, still we have next financial year as well to achieve the goal.”
He further added that in the first step, exercise of removing moss and unwanted plants on the walls and inside the premises is being taken up to be followed by clearing de-facing of walls and finally conservation and preservation of its original art and carving work in the Haveli to give it a final shape.
“We have so many heritage structures of this type in various parts of the region but due to budgetary issues, initially four were identified last year and Mansar being the tourist destinations, has been chosen first for conserving the “Mansar Haveli” as it is among most visited places situated along the lake,” he added.
He, however, said that the department has also taken up the matter with the government and asked to engage experts and consultants of national or international repute for guidance.
However, official sources told UNI that the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, J&K last year, sanctioned to release funds to the tune of Rs 37.13 lakhs under the scheme “3101—Repair and Preservation of Monuments (Archives)” in favour of Deputy Director Archives for further placement at the disposal of the executing agencies on account of repair, renovation of state protected monuments.
Sources, however, said that total estimated cost for renovation of projects was 207.94 (in lakhs) out of which 111.38 has been allotted so far.
They said that for renovation of historical mosque at Jaffer Chak, Jammu, Rs 31.46 lakh was an estimated cost out of which 13.88 was allotted.
For renovation and repair of Ladden Kotli Fort at Udhampur, Rs 99.15 lakhs was an estimated cost out of which Rs 45 lakhs was released in two installments, for repair and renovation of Mansar Haveli at Samba, Rs 68.54 lakh was an estimated cost out of which Rs 40 lakhs has been allotted and for renovation and repair of Dogra Art Museum, Jammu, Rs 8.79 lakhs was an estimated cost out of which Rs 7.50 was allotted.
They further added, “except Mansar Haveli, other restorations works are yet to be tenderised.
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