International consultant to inspect Mubarak Mandi complex, says CM

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 29

The state government today announced that an international consultant would soon inspect Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, the royal residence of Dogra rulers in Jammu and Kashmir, and chalk out a strategy to restore its pristine glory.

It also made it clear that the state government cannot allow the complex, where the renovation work was in progress, to be used as a parking place.

This was announced by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti while addressing a gathering of people on the banks of the Chenab in Akhnoor, 28 km from Jammu, after inaugurating a tourist complex at Jia Potha this afternoon.

Mehbooba said “On my first visit last week, I was simply riveted by the grandeur and majestic beauty of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex. We cannot allow it to be used as a parking place,” she said.

The Mubarak Mandi complex, spreading over 14 acres of prime land, is steeped in a history of 187 years. The oldest building in the palace complex dates back to as long as 1824. The renovation of the complex was started in 2008, but it remained halted for a couple of years due to bureaucratic red tape and shortage of funds.

Drawing the attention of the people towards her plan to develop Jammu as an independent travel destination, Mehbooba, who also holds the charge of the Tourism Department, assuaged feelings of certain sections, especially businessmen and traders, who think Jammu may lose focus with better connectivity and direct train facility to Katra town.

For this, she said her government would strategise and diversify its activities for which a comprehensive plan would be drawn up soon. “An international consultant will soon inspect Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and chalk out a strategy so that we restore it to its pristine glory. Similarly, we will remove bottlenecks in the Jammu Ropeway Project, which will provide a huge fillip to the tourism sector in the winter capital,” she said, adding that J&K would have to learn from Rajasthan as to how to conserve its heritage and culture assets.