October 14, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 1, 1428

GUJRANWALA, Oct 13: The renovation of the seven historical gates in the city, which are in a decrepit condition, is in the doldrums despite the district nazim’s announcement some two years ago that their restoration would be carried out at the earliest.

The repair and reconstruction of decaying archaeological heritage has become a victim of red tape of the bureaucracy as files pertaining to preparation of estimates to undertake restoration of these sites and other buildings of historical import are waiting for the nod of officials concerned at the Public Works Department.

The city had seven gates, i.e., Sialkoti Gate, Eimenabadi Gate, Khiali Gate, Thaker Singh Gate, Lahori Gate, Garjakhi Gate and Khajoor Mandi Gate. District Nazim Fiaz Ahmad Chattha took keen interest in restoration of these historical sites. He tasked the preparation of assessments and estimates to the district town planning officer who failed to do so and initial reports and files are still pending with the PWD office for approval.

Some historical buildings are also a victim of negligence and dereliction. The PWD Rest House, which houses banking courts, is in an awful condition as a major portion of the building has caved in while the remaining has developed cracks.

The passport office was established in such another building, which has, however, recently been demolished by the buildings department for reconstruction.

The Canal Rest House is yet another decaying building awaiting restoration, but it has recently been given to the Child Protection Welfare Bureau.

A building department official said a separate directorate was responsible for reconstruction or repair of such historical buildings.

District Officer (Buildings) Haji Saleem told Dawn that the City District Government Gujranwala had orally directed his office to prepare estimates to renovate the historical gates. He said only Sialkoti and Lahori gates were in such a condition that they could be conserved and renovated, however, the remaining five had been decayed enough and carrying out renovation task over there was impossible.