Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 4: Former Minister and Trustee of the Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust, Ajatshatru Singh, and Trustee Ranvijay Singh have strongly condemned the collapse of a heritage wall of the nearly 200-year-old Shree Gadadhar Temple during excavation work being carried out by Jammu Smart City Limited at the Mubarak Mandi Complex. Terming the incident a result of administrative negligence and lack of sensitivity towards Jammu’s religious and cultural heritage, they said adequate safety measures were not taken […]
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 4: Former Minister and Trustee of the Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust, Ajatshatru Singh, and Trustee Ranvijay Singh have strongly condemned the collapse of a heritage wall of the nearly 200-year-old Shree Gadadhar Temple during excavation work being carried out by Jammu Smart City Limited at the Mubarak Mandi Complex.
Terming the incident a result of administrative negligence and lack of sensitivity towards Jammu’s religious and cultural heritage, they said adequate safety measures were not taken before undertaking excavation near the historic structure.
The trustees said local residents and stakeholders had repeatedly raised concerns about the absence of proper protective arrangements, but the warnings were ignored, leading to damage to a structure of significant historical and religious importance.
Expressing concern over the safety of other heritage buildings in the Mubarak Mandi Complex, they demanded a thorough review of ongoing works, fixation of responsibility for the lapse, and action against those found accountable.
They also urged the administration, Jammu Municipal Corporation and agencies involved in the Smart City project to stop any activity that could endanger heritage structures until proper safety protocols are put in place, stressing that development should not come at the cost of Jammu’s rich heritage.