Strengthening of hill slope below Mubarak Mandi Complex
*Efforts underway to stabilize structures in distress
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 13: The project aimed at strengthening the vulnerable hill slope along Circular Road, just below the historic Mubarak Mandi Complex, remains in limbo as repeated attempts to engage consultancy firm have failed to attract any bids. This has put the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS) in a peculiar situation as the issue directly impacts the safety and preservation of the centuries old heritage site.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that the matter has been repeatedly deliberated in meetings of the Society’s Executive Committee as well as in regular review sessions. As a result, instructions were issued for early engagement of a consultancy firm to recommend specific measures for slope stabilization.
Despite multiple rounds of tendering, no eligible agency has come forward so far due to the complex nature of the work, sources said, adding “earlier this year, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee had initially agreed to guide the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society by deputing a team of experts. However, the institute, later, showed reluctance backing out at a critical stage”.
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“Following this, a fresh tender was floated for engagement of a consultancy firm with July 8, 2025 as the last date for submission of bids. Yet again, the response was inadequate”, sources informed.
The 450 meter stretch of slope is highly prone to erosion and instability particularly during the monsoon months. Further, strengthening is crucial not only to protect the historic Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex but also to prevent potential damage to adjacent areas.
“Although funds have been earmarked under the heritage conservation plan, the lack of response has stalled the process completely. The Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society, which is overseeing the conservation efforts, now finds itself in a tight spot with neither a way forward nor any immediate alternative to address the pressing threat”, sources said.
Meanwhile, efforts are being made for emergency stabilization of certain structures in distress within the historic complex. “Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been prepared, technical sanctions have been obtained and the case has been submitted for Accord of Administrative Approval, which is expected shortly”, sources informed.
Once approved, tenders will be floated for execution of works (only temporary in nature) as these structures have already suffered immense damage and unless stabilization works are carried out on priority basis they will collapse in near future. “The permanent restoration works on these structures will be taken at a later stage”, they added.
Regarding conservation of Raja Amar Singh Palace, sources informed that work has picked up following issuance of final notice for termination of contract. “While termination is not a difficult process, there are serious concerns about getting good response to tenders for the balance works”, they said.
“There is no expertise in the field of restoration of heritage buildings in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Delhi. The skilled professionals are mostly based in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and generally they don’t evince interests in taking up incomplete or residual works”, sources further said.
As far as Raja Ram Singh Palace is concerned, they said that directions have been issued for completion of remaining works on priority as the project has already exceeded its stipulated completion date. Similarly, instructions have been issued for closely monitoring the work on Dogra Art Museum, Badi Deodi, Royal Courts and Gadvai Khana as per the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) chart.
“The engineers supervising the works have been explicitly told to enforce necessary strict measures to ensure timely completion”, sources said.
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