Dear Editor,
We express our gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Commissioner/Secretary Mandeep Kour, Housing & Urban Development Department, for their interest in our representation regarding the proposal for road connectivity linking the historic temples near Bawe Wali Mata. We also appreciate your support in considering this project under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Reforms.
Following a productive meeting on 13th September 2025 at the Smart City office and a joint site visit on 15th September 2025 at the Bahu Fort parking site-with representatives from Jammu Civil Society, Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment, and other concerned departments-we observed that junior forest officials present lacked adequate understanding of the deep cultural and religious significance of this corridor related to the 8th-century presiding deity of Jammu.
Under my chairmanship, Jammu Civil Society met on this matter, with prominent members including Suresh Sharma (Former Judge), Vinod Sachdeva, Arjun Singh Chib, and others. We unanimously resolved to forward the following proposals for your kind consideration: Construct a new road interlinking the historic Bawe Wali Mata, Har Ki Pauri, and Mahamaya Mata temples to form a safe, motorable religious corridor for devotees and tourists, including golf carts and wheelchairs for elderly and differently-abled persons; Provide alternate connectivity from the New JDA Parking (Bawe Wali Mata) to Har Ki Pauri temple, incorporating facilities such as lifts, escalators, or golf carts; Allow an additional route from New JDA Parking to Bawe Wali Mata with support for golf carts and wheelchairs; Maintain, widen, and upgrade existing roads-including Bawe Wali Mata road, Ropeway (Gandola) point to Har Ki Pauri, and Mahamaya Mata Temple road-to ensure safe all-weather usage; Upgrade temples by constructing larger halls and providing basic amenities, given the current limited space that restricts the number of worshippers; Upgrade the old parking area of Bawe Wali Mata; Utilize the JDA park for entry and exit of devotees to Bawe Wali Mata Temple to reduce congestion; Equip all roads with adequate lighting and surveillance cameras for safety; and Construct shelter homes (Sarai) at Har Ki Pauri and Shri Mata Mahamaya Temple for devotees and tourists.
It is important to highlight that these 8th-century temples have seen little development over successive governments, resulting in long waiting times, discomfort for senior citizens and differently-abled persons, and challenges including hawkers and monkey menace. Implementing this proposal will enhance the area’s development, increase visitor footfall year-round, and promote economic growth and employment in Jammu.
Additionally, we propose including parking lots at key locations such as Tourist Reception Centre, Government Girls High School at City Chowk, Mubarak Mandi Complex, Hari Singh Park, Parade, and Jewel Chowk under SASCI reforms.
We trust that Dr. Devansh Yadav, Chief Executive Officer, Jammu Smart City Ltd, will consider our proposal favorably and facilitate the development of road connectivity and parking facilities to improve convenience for devotees and residents of Jammu’s heritage city. A thanks was presented by Vinod Sachdeva, Co-Chairman, Jammu Civil Society. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
CA Pardeep Gandotra
Chairman, Jammu Civil Society