Tourism Minister inaugurates restoration work of 20 historical sites in 8 districts
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Haryana Cooperation, Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma said under the leadership of CM Nayab Singh Saini, the state will work towards realizing PM Narendra Modi’s vision of preserving heritage. He said after restoration and beautification, the centrally and state-protected historical sites of Haryana will be developed as tourist destinations so that both domestic and foreign tourists can connect with the state’s rich cultural legacy.
Dr. Arvind Sharma today inaugurated the Rs 95 crore project for the restoration and beautification of 20 state-protected heritage sites located in Narnaul-Mahendragarh, Kaithal, Jind, Bhiwani, Gurugram, Faridabad, Palwal, and Nuh under the Sewa Pakhwada campaign. He said that it is the aspiration of the local representatives and the people of Narnaul that the city, known for its stepwells, tombs, and palaces, should be declared a ‘Heritage City’. In this regard, a meeting will soon be held with Saini.
While interacting with public representatives and citizens, the Tourism Minister said that PM’s vision is to conserve heritage and make it accessible to the masses. He added that for the first time in the history of the state, such a large amount is being spent on conservation and promotion of state-protected sites. This initiative, he said, will be considered a mark of respect to our past, a responsibility towards the present, and an opportunity for future generations. This historic initiative has been made possible due to the farsighted leadership of the central and state governments and their deep sensitivity towards cultural heritage.
Dr. Arvind Sharma said that Haryana’s land has always been a witness to history. Its stepwells, forts, palaces, ancient temples, and havelis are not just stone structures, but symbols of culture, identity and pride. With this project, Haryana will establish itself as a culturally vibrant and tourist-friendly state. He noted that the objective is to understand the architectural heritage of monuments, provide visitors with better experiences, and improve accessibility and facilities at tourist sites.
The Minister also announced that from Friday, various competitions will be organized at 75 historical heritage sites of the state, along with a cleanliness campaign at 33 monuments and 42 tourist complexes. In the coming days, workshops and heritage tours will also be organized to involve the public, especially the youth, so that they can realize their responsibility in the mission of heritage protection.
He further informed that nearly Rs 47 crore will be spent on preserving historical heritage in Narnaul, Mahendragarh district. These works include restoration of state-protected monuments such as Mirza Ali Jan’s Baoli, Fort Islampur, Chattha Rai Balmukund Das, Chor Gumbad, Shobha Sarovar, Tripolia Gateway, Peer Turkman, Polytechnic Baoli, and Mukundpura Baoli. In Kaithal, Rs 4.46 crore will be spent on the restoration of Bhai ki Baoli. In Jind, Rs 5.52 crore will be spent on Qila Jafargarh and Rs 6.78 crore on Safidon Fort. In Bhiwani, Rs 5.43 crore will be spent on Tosham Fort. In Gurugram, Rs 6.77 crore will be used for Lal Gumbad in Sohna and Rs 4.25 crore for Badshahpur Baoli. In Faridabad, Rs 1.32 crore will be spent on Rani ki Chhatri. In Nuh, Rs 5.32 crore will be spent on Dehra Temple and Rs 1.50 crore on the Gumbad Complex in Taoru. In Farrukhnagar, Rs 4.54 crore will be spent on Sheesh Mahal. In Palwal, Rs 2.16 crore will be spent on Kesuria Khera at Manpur village.