PATIALA: Most historical sites in Patiala, once known as the heritage capital of Punjab, are in a state of neglect. Successive governments have done nothing to protect heritage sites here.
Like previous years, on Monday, the World Heritage Day passed without any fanfare to mark the day in the city. No heritage walks were held and no attempts were made to spread awareness about Patiala’s heritage.
The city has many significant heritage sites including Darbar Hall in Quila Mubarak, Sheesh Mahal and their art galleries, Guru Gobind Singh Bhawan and Old Moti Bagh Palace, Sunami Gate and many others.
With the passage of time, almost all of these buildings are falling apart as there is no grant for carrying out the much-needed renovation.
Though over the years, successive governments have been coming up with big plans for protecting heritage sites in this royal city, but these have remained on paper only.
‘Around 15 to 20 years back, Sheesh Mahal was not in that bad a condition as it is in now. In the coming 10 years, it’s condition will only deteriorate as government is not taking any steps to conserve it,’ said Gurbinder Singh, who runs a shop near the Sheesh Mahal.
Similar is the condition of Quila Mubarak, which has around 3,000 rooms and nine different palaces. The officers concerned say they need at least Rs 100 crore to save this heritage structure, but the government has released only around Rs 1.75 crore in the last many years.
‘There was a proposal for a Rs 100 crore grant many years back, but there has been no proper grant so far,’ said a senior officer on condition of anonymity.