Qila Mubarak’s restoration begins

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 20

Spread across 95 kanals and 10 marlas in the heart of Nabha city, Qila Mubarak is all set to regain its lost glory. The Punjab and Haryana High Court was today informed that the restoration work had started.

Taking a note of the assertion, the high court asked for detailed status report in the matter. Already, the high court has been informed that almost 80 per cent encroachments had been cleared.

The development is significant as the Punjab Industrial Development Board (PIDB) had informed the authorities concerned that restoration work could not start till the entire site was cleared. The court, on a previous date of hearing, was informed that houses illegally occupied by government and retired employees, an art and craft institute, a Sanskrit vidyalaya, a record room and a “malkhana” had already shifted.

Appearing before the Bench, Punjab Deputy Advocate-General had pointed out that the restoration of Qila Mubarak could not start earlier. Giving reasons, he said the PIDB had informed the authorities concerned that restoration work could not start till the entire site was cleared.

“We are of the opinion that if 75 per cent to 80 per cent site has been cleared, the restoration work can be started. In these circumstances, on the oral request made by the state counsel, the PIDB through its Managing Director is ordered to be impleaded as respondent,” the bench had asserted.

Taking up a petition filed by Raj Kumar and another petitioner against the state of Punjab and other respondents, the high court had earlier observed the “building was lying vacant and there was no office or institute functioning. But, in the outside premises and within its boundary wall, there exist Sanskrit vidhyalya, government primary school, post office, art and craft institute, judicial courts complex and some other offices along with certain quarters for the employees of the Punjab Police Department”.

Nod to 3 memorials

Chandigarh: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday gave the green signal to start work on three prestigious memorials across the state at a cost of nearly Rs 25 crore. Presiding over a high-level meeting at his residence, the Chief Minister gave approval to start work on Bhai Mardana Memorial in Ferozepur, Shri Guru Virjanand Samarak in Kartarpur near Jalandhar and Baba Moti Ram Mehra Memorial in Fatehgarh Sahib. The Bhai Mardana Memorial in Ferozepur is a tribute to Bhai Mardana, a contemporary of first Guru of Sikhs Guru Nanak Dev. The memorial that is to be constructed over 0.72 acres would have a state-of-the-art gallery with pictures depicting the life history of Bhai Mardana. The Shri Guru Virjanand Samarak is a tribute to the celebrated teacher of Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Baba Moti Ram Mehra Memorial will be built in remembrance of Baba Moti Ram Mehra, who served younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri in 'Thanda Burj' in Sirhind.