Highlighting the importance of heritage sites, Minister of State for Education, Information and Culture, Priya Sethi today asked the concerned government agencies to formulate comprehensive projects to preserve and restore the glory of historic sites and ancient architecture marvels of the state.The Minister was speaking at a meeting held to discuss the renovation cum restoration plan for the historic Dewan Mandir Complex here today.The meeting was attended by MLA East Rajesh Gupta, Commissioner JMC, Soujanya Sharma, Vice Chairman JDA, Mubarak Singh, SSP Jammu, ADDC Jammu, Director Archives, District Floriculture Officer, Deputy Secretary Cultural Academy, Deputy Director Tourism besides senior officers of PHE, PDDThe Minister said that places of heritage have greater historic value and these speak in detail about different aspects of a civilization and culture adding that Jammu and Kashmir possesses rich heritage and remarkable archaeological and architectural characteristics. “This special phenomenon of the State needs focused attention”, she said and called for preservation and protection of this glory of the State.
The meeting also deliberated upon the issues including sanitation, repair of walkways, lanes/drains, maintenance and development of existing defunct wash rooms, drinking water points, installation of sign boards in and around temple, parking, development of Natak Theatre, electricity, water supply besides construction/maintenance of new and existing components.The Minister constituted a sub-committee of officers to prepare detailed project report (DPRs) for restoration/construction works of the complex after proper analysis. The Sub Committee has been asked to formulate the project within 20 days and submit it to the concerned quarter.MLA East also spoke on the occasion and said that government was keen to preserve the heritage sites for next generation. He called for creation of adequate infrastructure in the Dewan Mandir.