Kulgam, Aug 2: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the revival and restoration of the historic Dharamshala at Mata Kantiyani Bhagwati Asthapan in Kakran area of Kulgam district, reaffirming the Jammu and Kashmir government’s commitment to preserving the Union Territory’s cultural and religious heritage.
The restoration project, to be executed by the Public Works (R&B) Division, D.H. Pora, has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹2.84 crore. The initiative aims to conserve the Dharamshala’s historical, cultural and religious significance while upgrading facilities for pilgrims and visitors.
Addressing the gathering, Dulloo stressed the importance of safeguarding heritage sites and strengthening public infrastructure. He said the project would improve facilities for devotees, promote religious tourism and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. He also directed officials to ensure timely completion of the work while maintaining high standards of quality and heritage conservation.
During the visit, the Chief Secretary interacted with members of the Kashmiri Pandit community and discussed issues related to the preservation of the historic site.
Deputy Commissioner Kulgam Shahzad Alam briefed the Chief Secretary on the proposed restoration works and highlighted the district administration’s efforts to conserve heritage assets and improve civic infrastructure across the district. Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, also spoke about the historical and cultural importance of the Dharamshala.
The foundation stone-laying ceremony was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police Kulgam Anayat Ali Choudhary, Additional District Development Commissioner Altaf Ahmad Khan, Assistant Commissioner Development, Executive Engineer PWD (R&B) Division D.H. Pora, other district officers, officials of the PWD, representatives of the Kashmiri Pandit community and other concerned officials.
