STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Monday visited the Mubarak Mandi complex and took a first-hand appraisal of the status of conservation and restoration works being undertaken at the heritage complex.
The Lt Governor was accompanied by Raghvendra Singh, Secretary/CEO Development of Museums, Ministry of Culture GoI, BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary, and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor took an extensive tour of various segments and sections of the Mubarak Mandi Complex and sought a detailed briefing on the progress of the ongoing restoration and renovation works of the heritage complex.
Executive Director, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society, Deepika Sharma informed the Lt Governor about the status of ongoing restoration work, besides several other important issues pertaining to the restoration of Dogra Art Museum, preservation of historical records, and important components.

Jammu, Srinagar to get Metro Rail soon, LG briefed

JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Monday chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat to steer Light Metro Rail Projects for Jammu and Srinagar.
Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam; Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor, Nitishwar Kumar, MD/ CEO, Jammu/Srinagar Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Ankita Kar, besides representatives from MAHA-Metro and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.
The representatives of MAHA-Metro gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the works related to the project, besides highlighting the key issues on Jammu and Srinagar Metro Rail corridors. It was informed that the Jammu Light Rail System will have a 23-kilometer length with 22 stations between Bantalab and Bari Brahmana; whereas Srinagar Light Rail System will have a 25-kilometer length which included 12.5-kilometer length from Indira Nagar to HMT Junction and 12.5-kilometer length from Hazuri Bagh to Osmanabad with 24 stations (12 stations on each corridor).
The Lt Governor stressed upon speedy implementation and directed that the project once approved should be completed within two years from the date of commencement.
The Lt Governor observed that the elevated Metro Rail System will not only facilitate the people but also have a positive impact on the economy and quality of life. He said that the Metro Project for the two cities will be cost-effective and a leap towards sustainable public transport.

Later, a high-level meeting was held at Raj Bhavan to discuss the restoration, preservation, and conservation of Mubarak Mandi Jammu. A comprehensive plan for the preservation and restoration of heritage sites and places of historical importance has already been given in-principle approval during the first meeting of the National Implementation Committee (NIC) for commemorating the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, chaired by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah. Mubarak Mandi Jammu, Shergarhi in Srinagar, both cultural heritages will be taken up for comprehensive conservation and restoration, it was briefed.
The Lt Governor asked Secretary Culture, Government of India to send a team of experts from the Ministry of Culture in the next 10 days, so that a Comprehensive Master Plan for Conservation and Restoration, including lighting system, could be prepared for the heritage site.
The Lt Governor observed that some piecemeal restoration work has been done at Mubarak Mandi but this architectural heritage requires a comprehensive plan involving experts, conservationists, and round-the-clock monitoring to restore its glory in a time-bound manner.
It was informed that the lighting experts working in the cultural heritage sector will also visit Mubarak Mandi soon to prepare and execute a comprehensive plan for facade illumination.
This will enhance the heritage character of Mubarak Mandi through world-class architectural lighting illumination to produce a brilliant aesthetic and extraordinary look at these historic buildings.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment towards conservation and protection of the rich culture and heritage of J&K, the Lt Governor observed that the Government is putting untiring efforts for restoration of places of historical importance and has fast-tracked the work on the areas that need immediate attention in order to preserve the glory of our rich heritage.
Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sushma Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary Tourism; Munir-ul-Islam Director, Archives, Archaeology & Museums; ASI officials; consultants; members of the executing agencies and other senior officers were present during the visit.