Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 29: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today said that Government is making all out efforts to modernize and re-decorate historical Raghunath Bazaar on modern lines, adding that for this purpose Government has already released Rs 3.50 crore. Mr. Bhalla said that concerned department has submitted a revised plan estimated to cost Rs 6.67 crores out of which Government has released Rs. 3.50 crore. He said that the remaining funds for the project will also be released shortly. Divisional Commissioner, Shantmanu, Deputy Commissioner, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Director Tourism, Soujanya Sharma. President JHS Baldev Khullar besides artists, intellectual, members of civil society, leading businessmen, industrialists who have made valuable contributions in promoting local heritage, culture and art were present on the occasion. The Minister gave a detailed review of the status of work on the project taken up to beautify and develop the heritage market around the historical Shri Raghunath temple at a 3-years celebrations function held here this evening. The function organised by Jammu Heritage Society (JHS). Mr. Bhalla informed that ornamental moulding of poles to give them designer look with fancy lights and PVC Cable, renovation, modernization and up-gradation of overhead power distribution network at Raghunath Bazar under Heritage Development Scheme, shifting of underground BSNL cable for the development of Raghunath Bazar area. Mr. Bhalla directed the departments of BSNL, PHE and PDD to undertake their parts of the work on war footing to complete the same at the earliest. He stressed that the concerned departments should work in coordination to ensure time bound completion of the ongoing works. The Minister said that the Raghunath Bazaar is the hub of pilgrims and tourists. He informed that the first phase of up gradation and beautification of bazaar has been completed with painting of the shutters and doors of shops in keeping with Dogra art design. The second phase of raising sheds in uniform pattern by all the shops are in progress. Mr. Khullar presented memorandum to the Minister and laid stress on preserving and maintaining of historical forts of Jammu especially Bahu Fort and forts of Akhnor, Reasi, Rajouri and Samba besides preservation, proper maintenance and showcasing of historical monuments and religious places like Mubarak Mandi, Shri Raghunath ji temple, Parmandal, Utterbani and Suchetgarh temple have also their significance. Later, the renowned painter of son-of soil K K Gandhi presented a painting of historical Heritage site of Billawar to the Minister.
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