STATE TIMES NEWS
KATRA: Several years back, Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, had advised the Tourism Department to take up the renovation and conservation of Bhimgarh Fort, Reasi, to bring this historical monument on the tourist circuit, linking it with the facilities at Sula Park and Mahadev Temple Reasi. To achieve this objective the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has provided an amount of about Rs. 2.27 crore to the Tourism Department for carrying out the required restoration of the Bhimgarh Fort to revive its grandeur as a monumental icon of the Dogra heritage.
For the renovation of the historical Mahadev Temple and provision of Yagyashalla, Langar Hall, Dormitory, Kitchen, Public Conveniences and other facilities the Shrine Board provided Rs. 1.70 crore. The redone Mahadev Temple Complex and Yatri Facilities were recently dedicated by the Governor to the people of Reasi. A. K. Sahu, Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, informed that the estimated cost of the two phased restoration and conservation project of Bhimgarh Fort is over Rs. 5.67 crore, of which 40%, i.e. Rs. 2. 27 crore, as per agreement, has been released to the State Tourism Department, which is the executing agency of this project. He further informed that the Governor has been taking keen interest in the expeditious completion of the restoration of Bhimgarh Fort and has visited the work site on several occasions.
Besides the restoration work, the Bhimgarh Fort project includes construction of a walking track around the periphery of the Fort, illumination of the internal area, construction of a cafeteria, sit-out plaza, public conveniences, landscaping, fixing of grills along the staircase and other allied works. Most of the components of the first phase of the project have been completed while work on the second phase is now in progress. The Shrine Board has urged the Tourism Department to ensure the early completion of the entire work and opening the Fort to the visitors.