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Restoration work of Mubarak Mandi complex yet to complete even after decade

Subodh Bhasin. Dated: 12/10/2018 11:20:32 AM

Subodh Bhasin
Jammu, Dec 9
Non serious approach towards the Mubarak Mandi complex” A Dogra Heritage” has resulted into the non completion of its renovation . As a result even after passing of decade of renovation work the heritage structure remains in dilapidated condition.
At a time when tall claims were made to carry out the development works expeditiously by the successive government and with a commitment to complete the renovation of Mubarak Mandi Complex, yet in the past 10 years only a partial part of structure used to house the erstwhile Army headquarters and foreign office has been renovated and the majority of part is still in dilapidated condition and can fall any moment.
It is worthwhile to mention here that even after the authorities are claiming to be in progress of renovation work the dilapidated buildings of the large structure are falling apart, as such the people of Jammu are losing hope that structure will be restored to its pristine glory.
Talking to Young Bites correspondent Ex. Dy.A.G Dinesh Singh Jamwal said that it appears that people of Jammu are being fooled by spending huge amount of funds on the pretext of renovation of the Mubarak Mandi Complex. He categorically added that it appears that the project has been left at the mercy of political interference and bureaucratic stupor as such of 29 buildings, only one renovated in a decade as the renovation work was started in 2008.
Taking serious concern on the authorities, on December 5, Former Sadar-i-Riyasat, Dr Karan Singh shot off a letter to Governor Satya Pal Malik, expressing his dismay over the deteriorating condition of the heritage complex. He urged the Governor to call all files connected with Mubarak Mandi and see what could be done to preserve this rich Dogra heritage, which, he said, was crumbling “before our eyes”.
Recenrtly Gole- Garh (prestigious palace) of the Mubarak Mandi heritage Complex collapsed proving the urgency of their very genuine pleadings for early restoration on war footing and five structures have collapsed in 10 yrs.
The members of the All Jammu Civil Society Forum under their Convener Th Gulchain Singh Charak and decried over the prolonged government apathy and failure to save these precious symbols of Dogra dignity of a century of Dogra Rule and pride of a race.
An organisation called Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS) was also formed and the Archaeological Survey of India was also involved, but despite these measures the situation continued to deteriorate and more buildings are on the verge of collapse. The seriousness of the authorities towards completion of prestigious renovation project of Mubarak Mandi Complex can be well gauges that only one meeting of the MMJHS governing body has taken place in the last four years instead of mandatory one every six months.
Although Last month, the state government sanctioned Rs 65 crore to expedite the renovation work of Mubarak Mandi, yet the work should be carried away in speed of manner and must be completed in time bound.