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Plan for renovation of Qila Mubarak

Guru Gobind Singh Marg from Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib to be extended to Nanded

Bathinda: The Punjab Government will spend Rs. 1.25 crores on renovation and preservation of the historic Qila Mubarak that dates back to the 8th Century.

The announcement was made here on Wednesday by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, whose ancestors Baba Ala Singh, Maharaja Amar Singh and Maharaja Karam Singh ruled from this fort.

The tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, also came here during the time of Baba Ram Singh, son of Baba Phul, the founder of the Patiala royal family.

Terming the fort as a national monument, Capt Singh pointed out it was intact till 1947 as per the records in his possession. He said most parts of this historic fort were now in a dilapidated condition and gradually crumbling.

He indicated that he would take up this issue with Union Tourism, Culture, Archives and Archaeology Minister Ambika Soni and urge her to sanction a special grant of Rs 1.25 crore to save this prestigious monument from further deterioration.

The local officers of the Archaeological Survey of India who were entrusted with the task for its renovation had informed the Chief Minister that Rs 2.5 crore was required for its upkeep.

Capt. Singh assured that this fort would be renovated and paucity of funds would not hamper the progress of work. Capt. Singh announced that the existing Guru Gobind Singh Marg from Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib to Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo would be extended up to Takht Sri Sach Khand Hazoor Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra.

He said the blueprint of this project had been conceptualised. The modalities were being worked out with the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Madya Pradesh and Maharashtra, through which the road would pass.

Capt. Singh said that once the consensus was arrived on this historic project, then he would take up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for final approval.

Guru Gobind Singh laid the foundation of the Khalsa `panth' at Anandpur Sahib while at Damdama Sahib, he compiled the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru travelled down south to Nanded where he breathed his last.

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Plan for renovation of Qila Mubarak

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