SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has undertaken a series of restoration and beautification works at the historic Old Fort in Samba and Mohargarh Fort, with additional projects in the pipeline, the Assembly was informed.
The details were shared in response to Un-Starred Question raised by MLA Surjeet Singh Slathia, with the Tourism Department stating that conservation efforts are being carried out under the scheme “Revival, Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of Architecture and Heritage in Jammu and Kashmir,” while the Department of Culture remains the designated authority for such works.
At the Old Fort in Samba, repair and renovation works have been completed during the 2024–25 financial year at a cost of Rs 0.83 crore under the Capex Budget. The works included site clearance, removal of debris, upgradation of electrical systems and improvement of sanitary facilities and water supply. The government further informed that additional restoration works amounting to Rs 2.43 crore have been taken up in 2025–26, for which tenders have already been floated.
The government also said that a separate project for repair and renovation of fencing around the Old Fort, which was damaged due to heavy rains and floods in 2025, has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs 0.20 crore under Phase-III of the same scheme and will be taken up subject to availability of funds.
At Mohargarh Fort, restoration works have been completed during the current financial year at a cost of Rs 0.70 crore under the heritage conservation scheme. These works included structural renovation of the fort along with landscaping, construction of an approach path and guard room, upgradation of external electrical infrastructure and development of visitor amenities such as fabricated bathrooms and informational signage.
In addition to conservation efforts led by the Culture Department, the Tourism Department has also carried out beautification works at Samba Fort, including tile work, development of parking facilities and allied infrastructure. The government noted that an earlier project for conservation and restoration of Samba Fort had been approved under the 2009–10 Capex Budget, with Rs 1.76 crore utilised for the purpose in 2022.
The response indicates a continued focus on heritage conservation and tourism-oriented infrastructure development in the Samba region, with further restoration works expected to be taken up in the coming financial year, subject to funding approvals.
