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.