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| Govt’s proposal to turn Mubarak Mandi into heritage hotel draws flak | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 7: Proposal of J&K Government to turn Mubarak Mandi into a heritage hotel here has drawn flak.
Since the proposal has been moved, people of Jammu have reacted sharply and are urging Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, to withdraw the idea.
Former Director Tourism, Ajay Khajuria while talking to local news portal said, “Work on renovation of Mubarak Mandi had commenced in 2007 and the project was handed over to Archeological Survey of India (ASI) but the ASI made it clear that it can only carryout the work of Rs 2 crore in a year.”
He said, “To expedite the process experts were hired. They gave a comprehensive plan to renovate Mubarak Mandi which comprises of 25 buildings. The work had commenced and was going on.”
Khajuria said, “At that point of time one of the expert agencies suggested that two to three buildings should be converted into a heritage hotel.
The suggestion was accepted and a foreign expert was hired to come up with a proposal to turn these buildings into the heritage hotel.”
“The expert in his report submitted that there is no feasibility and the hotels cannot be built.
The report stated that there is no approach road and parking place and the government will have to spend a huge amount to come up with the approach road and the parking space.
After the foreign expert submitted his report the proposal to turn three buildings into a heritage hotel was dropped,” he added.
Khajuria said, “It’s strange that the proposal to turn Mubarak Mandi into heritage hotel has come to fore once again as everyone knows that it cannot be done as there is no feasibility.
Another factor which the J&K Government needs to bear in mind is that the Mubarak Mandi is a protected monument and it cannot be turned into a hotel. Only private properties can be converted.”
He said, “People visit India to see its heritage and culture. It’s unfortunate that the government wants to deprive the Dogras of their heritage and culture. People who have suggested that Mubarak Mandi should be converted into a hotel need to come forward and hold a debate with us.
In Rajasthan protected monuments like Amair Palace continue to remain intact as a symbol of India’s heritage. Similarly Mubarak Mandi is Jammu’s heritage and it shouldn’t be ruined.` |
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