GUJRAT: The Punjab government has approved a package of Rs225.86 million for the restoration of historical Rohtas Fort in Jhelum district.

This was revealed at a meeting of Rohtas Fort Management Committee with Jhelum District Coordination Officer Zulfiqar Ahmed in the chair on Thursday.

PML-N MPA Mehr Fiaz, Project Director of Rohtas Fort Malik Maqsood Ahmed, Conservator of Archaeological Department Khalid Sarwar and Dr Aneesur Rehman were also present at the occasion.

According to the scheme approved by the chief minister, the population of some 4,000 people currently residing in the fort will be shifted to a housing colony being planned in the vicinity whereas the entry of heavy traffic will be banned to pass through the inside road of the fort as a 2-km bypass road will be built for the purpose.

The 8-km road leading to the fort from GT Road (Deena) will also be rebuilt at a cost of Rs166.13 million for providing tourists an easy access to the national heritage. The 2-km bypass road will be constructed at a cost of Rs59.63 million.

The Rohtas Fort has been a victim of official neglect since long.

The museum at the fort will also be opened for the tourists as decided by the management committee whereas a horse-driven cart (carriage) service will be started within the fort. A modern canteen to facilitate visitors and a counter for the visitors guide will be set up as well.

The committee decided to prevent the entry of stray animals into the fort from different areas whereas the heaps of garbage and animal waste will also be removed from the site.

The management committee will hold its meetings once a month to review the progress and measures being taken for the restoration of the fort.

A sub-committee has also been constituted under the supervision of the Deena assistant commissioner that will propose a site for the establishment of a residential colony to shift the inhabitants settled inside the fort since long.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2015

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