Heritage conservation initiative to strengthen Bhaderwah’s tourism potential and preserve historic legacy

#SRINAGAR: In a major initiative to preserve Jammu & Kashmir’s historical heritage and promote local tourism, the Government has approved ₹10 crore for the repair and renovation of the historic Rattan Garh Fort in Bhaderwah, Doda.

The project is aimed at conserving the historic structure, improving its overall condition and developing it as an important heritage and tourism attraction in the Chenab Valley.

The restoration will help safeguard the fort’s architectural and historical character while creating better facilities for visitors.

The initiative forms part of the Government’s broader focus on the preservation of Jammu & Kashmir’s rich cultural and architectural heritage and the development of heritage sites as destinations for tourism.

Rattan Garh Fort is among the historic sites associated with the rich heritage of Bhaderwah, an area known for its distinctive cultural traditions, historic architecture and scenic landscape. Its restoration is expected to add a significant heritage dimension to Bhaderwah’s tourism circuit and contribute to increased visitor footfall and local economic activity.

The Government has in recent months undertaken and approved several initiatives for the preservation and development of heritage assets across Jammu & Kashmir, with emphasis on restoring historically significant structures and integrating them with the broader tourism economy.

₹9.18 crore Smart City project enhances urban infrastructure, pedestrian facilities, public amenities

#JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the upgraded Residency Road–High Street in Jammu, a landmark urban infrastructure project executed by Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) under the Smart City Mission at a cost of ₹9.18 crore.

The project has transformed nearly 1.2 kilometres of the Residency Road–High Street corridor, covering the stretches from Raghunathji Mandir to CM House, Vivekanand Chowk to Raghunath Mandir Chowk, and Vir Marg Chowk to Vivekanand Chowk.

As part of the upgradation, an underground communication corridor has been constructed and communication cables have been shifted underground to streamline utility infrastructure and enhance the area’s visual appeal. The project also includes the development of new paver-block footpaths, a bituminous concrete road surface and RCC drains, significantly improving civic infrastructure along the corridor.

The upgraded corridor is expected to enhance pedestrian convenience, improve traffic movement and utility management, and contribute to a cleaner, more organised urban environment while lending a renewed aesthetic character to one of Jammu city’s key commercial and civic corridors.

MLA Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Mandeep Kaur, Chief Executive Officer, Jammu Smart City Limited, Devansh Yadav, and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

Projects to boost sustainable mobility, urban infrastructure, heritage conservation and civic amenities across Jammu region

‘Govt belongs to every region, citizen; development work must continue irrespective of political circumstances,’ says Chief Minister

#JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a series of key development projects worth over ₹60 crore in the Housing & Urban Development sector across Jammu city and adjoining areas, saying his Government is committed to creating sustainable, inclusive and people-centric urban infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.

The projects include the laying of foundation stones for works worth over ₹28 crore and the inauguration of completed projects valued at around ₹32 crore, reflecting the Government’s sustained focus on strengthening urban infrastructure, promoting sustainable mobility, conserving heritage and enhancing civic amenities.

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the Depot for 100 Electric Buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme at Bhagwati Nagar. The project, being executed by Jammu Smart City Limited under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)/CAPEX at a cost of ₹23.04 crore, will provide the necessary infrastructure for the operation and maintenance of an electric bus fleet, paving the way for cleaner, greener and more efficient public transport in Jammu.

The Chief Minister also laid the e-foundation stone for the Rejuvenation and Restoration of the Flowing Nallah at Tan Talab Kundarorian, Katra, to be executed by the Public Works Department under CAPEX at a cost of ₹5.14 crore. The project aims to improve the ecological health of the water channel while enhancing sanitation, aesthetics and the overall urban environment in the pilgrimage town.

Among the projects inaugurated, the Chief Minister dedicated Tawi Wonderland (Waste-to-Wonder Park) at Bhagwati Nagar to the public. Developed under the Smart City Mission at a cost of ₹11 crore, the project transforms discarded materials into artistic installations and recreational spaces. The project also includes its operation, maintenance and management for a period of ten years under the PPP mode (VGF basis), promoting environmental sustainability while creating a unique tourist attraction.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Heritage Trail and Site Beautification Project under the Smart City Mission, developed at a cost of ₹15.74 crore. The initiative seeks to preserve and showcase Jammu’s rich cultural heritage while improving public spaces, pedestrian accessibility and the city’s tourism appeal.

He further inaugurated the Modernisation of Food Street at Bahu Fort, completed under the Smart City Mission at a cost of ₹1.65 crore, aimed at enhancing visitor amenities and promoting Jammu’s culinary and tourism experience.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Shopping-cum-Municipal Complex at Akhnoor, constructed under CAPEX at a cost of ₹3.61 crore by the Public Works Department. The facility will strengthen civic infrastructure and provide improved commercial and public service amenities for the residents of Akhnoor.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the newly inaugurated Waste-to-Wonder Park on the banks of the River Tawi has the potential to emerge as a major tourist attraction for Jammu. Referring to the replicas of iconic global and national landmarks installed in the park, he said the initiative reflects the Government’s efforts to place Jammu prominently on the tourism map through innovative urban development projects.

The Chief Minister said that before visiting the park, he had not realised the scale and quality of the project, describing it as a remarkable addition not only for the residents of Jammu but also for visitors coming to the city. He congratulated the officers and officials of the Jammu Smart City Limited and the Housing & Urban Development Department for successfully executing the project.

Highlighting the expansion of sustainable urban mobility, the Chief Minister said the foundation stone laid for the electric bus depot would provide the charging and maintenance infrastructure required for the induction of a new fleet of e-buses in Jammu, thereby strengthening the city’s public transport network.

He also referred to the inauguration of the modernised Food Street at Bahu Fort, the upgraded Heritage Trail, the Shopping-cum-Municipal Complex at Akhnoor and other development works, stating that these initiatives collectively reflect the Government’s resolve to continuously improve urban infrastructure and public amenities.

The Chief Minister emphasised that while politics may witness periods of uncertainty and change, the pace of development should never suffer. He reiterated that the present Government is committed to serving every region and every section of society without discrimination and, despite financial constraints, will continue to undertake projects that improve the lives of the people. He added that the Government would continue to prioritise riverfront development and other transformative urban initiatives across Jammu and Kashmir.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Bahu Vikram Randhawa, MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta, MLA Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, IGP Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Chief Executive Officer, Jammu Smart City Limited, Director, Urban Local Bodies and other senior officers and officials were present on the occasion.