Ever since the Coalition Government assumed the reins of power, it has been vociferously speaking of making Jammu a tourist destination. Jammu people believe that returning the BJP with a massive mandate would be a strong signal to the Government that Jammu cannot be ignored when developmental plans are discussed and deliberated upon. The situation on the ground belies our expectations that the Government is seriously contemplating to make Jammu a city of tourist destination. Real importance and significance of Jammu city lies in its historicity. It has been the capital city of the founder of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. In its earth is embedded the great saga of creation of Dogra dynasty that gave the State its political, geographic and historical shape. For last six decades, Mubarak Mandi complex, the original seat of the Dogra rulers, was used as the part of Civil Secretariat. However, no attention was paid to its preservation and maintenance so much so that one fine morning, the Government decided to vacate it and shift the offices to other complexes because this historic structure was unsafe and could crumble at any time causing loss of human lives. After great pressures and persuasions of the civil society, it was decided to convert the structures into heritage complex as it embodied the history of the last ruling house of Jammu. Much paper work was done, many meetings were held and a number of suggestions were put forward. The prestigious Archaeological Survey of India was involved and some monetary allocations were also made. Experts identified the nature and contours of renovation and preservation and works also began to be undertaken though by fits and starts only. No significant improvement has been made and if the work continues at snail’s pace, much of this complex will have vanished.
The same is the fate of another heritage project of the Government of making Jammu an independent tourist destination. Though the Detailed Project Reports for development of Raghunath Bazar up to Dawana Mandir has already been submitted yet so far no action has been taken on it. Likewise, another complimentary project viz. Karan Market as the starting point of the project would extend up to Rajinder Bazar and Gumat stairs would be restored and heritage gates would also be taken up. Even this project remains buried in files and on the ground nothing has moved. These examples amply show that there are more of words and less of action as far as making Jammu an independent tourist destination is concerned.
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