Even as the Punjab Government on Sunday claimed to have spent a whopping Rs 11 crore for the conservation of heritage buildings across the State from 2007 till date, the journey into the glorious past still lead one to the shambles.
Despite spending a huge amount on conserving heritage buildings, many still are crumbling, brick by brick, with little patience-thanks to the absence of a concrete policy by the State Government for restoration of these worthful structures.
Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur maintained that Rs 1,096.76 lakh has been spent on 32 historical buildings to restore their glory. “The work of 30 heritage buildings, including the conservation work of Anglo Sikh battle sites, has been completed, while the work on two is in progress,” he added.
Notwithstanding State Government’s claims to upkeep and restore a number of “important buildings and forts”, a long list of ‘neglected’ and ‘dilapidated’ heritage buildings and historic places across the state manifests the height of indifference by the State authorities.
The Government’s failure to come up with a policy to preserve and promote state’s rich cultural heritage has added to the woes. Now, the Government has sought assistance from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to formulate its Cultural Heritage Policy —likely to be finalised by May 31, 2014 — to showcase rich legacy and cultural heritage of Punjab across the globe.
Elaborating the expenditure of building’s restoration, Phillaur said that conservation of Mughal Sarai Shambhu has been done with Rs 75.32 lakh, construction of car parking along with Shamhu Complex with Rs 40.30 lakh, conservation of Patiala’s Sheesh Mahal with Rs 86.91, landscaping of Patiala’s Charbagh with Rs 101 lakh, conservation of Patiala’s Banasar Ghar with Rs 92.62 lakh, conservation of Patiala’s Shahi Samadhi with Rs 46.38 lakh.
The conservation of Attari Mahal and Samadhi Complex was done with Rs 94.26 lakh, Pul Kanjari with Rs 54.50 lakh, development of Sarai Amanat Khan Complex with Rs 27 lakh, conservation of Summer Palace, Rambagh Garden, Amritsar with Rs 10.65 lakh, Civil Defence Deori, Rambagh Garden, Amritsar with Rs 18.63 lakh, Rambagh Garden, Amritsar with Rs 15.62 lakh, Rambagh Gate, Amritsar with Rs 7.78 lakh, of General Dyer’s Bungalow in Amritsar with Rs 113.05 lakh.
The construction of parking at Dera Baba Nanak cost Rs 27.92 lakh, besides Rs 44.40 lakh on conservation of Guru Ki Maseet at Sri Hargobindpur, Rs 91.17 lakh on environmental upgradation of Dargah Masania at Gurdaspur, and Rs 10.10 lakh on environmental upgradation of 19th century Church Complex at Batala, Rs 65.76 lakh on the conservation of Maharaja Hira Singh Samadhi at Nabha, Conservation of Irrigation Guest House at Ferozepur with Rs 68 lakh, among other sites.
Phillaur added that conservation work of Anglo Sikh Battle Sites at Misriwal was done with Rs 8.67 lakh, Mudki with Rs 24.73 lakh, Ferozeshah Museum with Rs 59.12 lakh, Ferozeshah Memorial with Rs 26 lakh, Aliwal with Rs 12.8 and Sabraon with Rs 7.83 lakh to preserve our rich heritage.
Minister further said that conservation work of Kothi near Banasar Bagh, Sangrur with Rs 53.23 lakh and conservation work of Baradari near Banasar Bagh, Sangrur with Rs 41.30 lakh is in progress.