SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has initiated comprehensive restoration and beautification projects at the historic Old Fort in Samba and Mohargarh Fort, with plans for further development underway. These initiatives are aimed at preserving the region’s rich heritage and enhancing its tourism potential.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the Tourism Department shared information regarding these conservation efforts in response to an Un-Starred Question posed by MLA Surjeet Singh Slathia. The works are being executed under the scheme titled “Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture and Heritage in Jammu and Kashmir,” with the Department of Culture serving as the nodal agency responsible for overseeing such projects.
At the Old Fort located in Samba, significant repair and renovation activities were completed during the 2024-25 financial year. These works, which incurred an expenditure of Rs 0.83 crore from the Capex Budget, encompassed essential tasks such as site clearance, removal of debris, modernization of electrical systems, and improvements to sanitary facilities and water supply. The government has further announced that additional restoration endeavors, estimated to cost Rs 2.43 crore, are slated for the 2025-26 financial year, with the tendering process for these projects already initiated.
Furthermore, a separate project focused on the repair and renovation of the fencing surrounding the Old Fort has received approval. This fencing was significantly damaged by heavy rains and floods experienced in 2025. The project, estimated at Rs 0.20 crore, will be implemented under Phase-III of the aforementioned heritage scheme, contingent upon the availability of adequate funds.
Parallel efforts are underway at Mohargarh Fort, where restoration works have been successfully concluded within the current financial year. These interventions, costing Rs 0.70 crore under the heritage conservation scheme, included structural repairs to the fort, landscaping, the construction of an approach path and a guard room, an upgrade of external electrical infrastructure, and the development of visitor amenities such as fabricated bathrooms and informational signage.
In addition to the conservation activities managed by the Culture Department, the Tourism Department has also undertaken beautification measures at Samba Fort. These include tile work and the development of necessary parking facilities and allied infrastructure. Records indicate that an earlier project for the conservation and restoration of Samba Fort was sanctioned under the 2009-10 Capex Budget, with Rs 1.76 crore being utilized for its implementation by 2022.
These ongoing developments underscore a sustained commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage and the development of tourism-related infrastructure within the Samba region. Further restoration initiatives are anticipated in the upcoming financial year, pending the requisite funding approvals.
The Chenab Times News Desk