Sarmad Hafeez visits Sher Garhi Complex; Reviews Rs 137 cr restoration, conservation, re-use plan; Asks for completion of Art Museum Gallery in week’s time

SRINAGAR : Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Sarmad Hafeez, today visited Sher Garhi Complex, Srinagar to review the restoration, conservation and re-use plan worth Rs. 137 crore for the magnificent edifice of great historic significance.

Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Rahul Pandey, Director, Planning Tourism and Culture Department and Deputy Director (M&W) Tourism Department accompanied the Secretary during the visit.

Deputy Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Kashmir, briefed the Secretary about the restoration and conservation plan of Sher Garhi Old Assembly Complex. He also elaborately explained about the re-use plan of the historic Complex.

Pertinently, the eighteenth century structure of Sher Garhi, a witness to Afghan and Dogra regimes, has been declared as art museum gallery in Srinagar. The building has tremendous value of heritage given its constructional design and architectural features. Similarly, the Old Council Building is historical and carries a tremendous aesthetic value so far its architectural features are concerned.

Later, Secretary visited the Legislative Council building which is being restored and developed as an Art Gallery Museum with an estimated cost of Rs.39.97 lakh. He took stock of works being executed on Art Gallery and directed the executing agency for completion within a week’s time. He also directed the concerned to float tenders for remaining works in the gallery so that the same will be completed in time.

Meanwhile, Secretary also visited the heritage stone building and reviewed the conservation works being done there.