Bhalla reviews progress on Chingus Sarai, Bahu Fort

5 Dariya News (Anubhav Suri)

Jammu 12-Dec-2013

Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla, today chaired a high level meeting of officers of Tourism and Culture departments to review the progress of restoration work on Chingus Sarai being constructed at Rajouri and Bahu Fort, Jammu, here this afternoon.District Development Commissioner, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Director Horticulture, Anil Kumar Sharma, Consultant Tourism and Culture, S K A Qadri, Chief Architect, V K Pant besides other senior officers of Tourism and Culture departments were present on the occasion.Addressing the meeting, the Minister said Government has submitted a proposal of Rs. 63.50 lakh for completion of remaining works including restoration of collapsed wall of Bahu fort.Bhalla said that promotion of heritage tourism across the State is receiving focused attention of the Government. He added that renovation of Poonch Fort has been taken up at a cost of Rs. 3.79 crore while the Government would submit another project to the Centre for renovation works of heritage sites in the area is carried out.

The Minister said that historical tourist spots of Poonch district are also being fully developed with an expenditure of Rs. 20.00 crore by Poonch Tourism Development Authority (PTDA) under Prime Ministers Reconstruction Plan (PMRP). Besides, the tourist spots along Mughal Road like Noori Chamb, Peer-ki-Gali, Tatta Panni would also be developed on priority. Bhalla said Government is mooting a plan to restore pristine glory of Maharaja Poonch palace (Poonch House) at Talab Tillo Jammu. He directed the State Archives and Tourism department authorities to initiate necessary process in this regard.It was informed in the meeting that Government has spent Rs. 93.80 crore on restoration of Chingus Sarai in Rajouri, adding that 90% conservation works of the fort have been completed while remaining works on the project will be completed at the earliest. Besides, Government has earmarked Rs. 69.50 lakh for restoration work of Bahu Fort besides construction of Langer Khanna, Jorah Ghar, entry gate and approach path to Mahakali temple.