Jallianwala Bagh revamp work near over, to open by month-end
Anil Sharma
AMRITSAR: As more than 90% work to beautify Jallianwala Bagh has been completed, the memorial is likely to be thrown open for the public by September end.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi will inaugurate the revamped memorial virtually. The memorial was closed from February 15 to April 12 this year for its renovation, and other development works, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the work was delayed.
“More than 90% work of the memorial has been finished and the instructions passed on to expedite the remaining work. We have extended the invitation
to the PM and are expecting to receive the inauguration’s date from the PM office soon,” said Rajya Sabha MP Shwait Malik,
who is also a member of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust.
The ₹20-crore facelift project has, however, missed several deadlines. Earlier, it was to be completed before the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, then on June 15, and then on July 31.
“The deadlines were missed due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, which was introduced in March. However, there was no issue of funds,” said Malik.
Under the project, which is being carried out by the Union ministry of culture with the help of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the historic well (martyrs’ well), in which several people had jumped to escape the shooting by the British Indian Army, has been given a facelift and arrangements made for better view to the visitors.