PESHAWAR, Sept 4: The Directorate of Archaeology and Museum NWFP is working on a project to restore the old glory of Peshawar by re-erecting the city wall and gates and preserving the archaeological monuments.

“We are preparing PC-1 of the project and after its completion funds will be released by the provincial government and work will start on it,” said the Director Archaeology and Museum, Professor Dr Ehsan Ali.

Through the project, to be executed by the City Development and Municipal Development (CDMD), an effort would be made to restore the past glory of Peshawar by preserving and renovating historical monuments, he said.

He said the old city wall and gates would be re-erected in areas where it was possible and the existing parts of the wall and gates and Qissa Khwani Bazaar would be preserved and renovated.

Dr Ali said in the first phase of the project, old buildings in the bazaar would be renovated up to Chowk Yadgar, including those in the silversmiths’ market. In the second phase, buildings from Chowk Yadgar to the ancient Gor Gatheri would be restored along with the Clock Tower.

The project, to cost up to Rs600 million, would be completed in five to six years, said the director.

The PC-1, he said, would hopefully be completed in the current fiscal year and work on the project would start from July 2006.

He said the CDMD had sought tenders and advertised for consultants to complete the PC-1.

Dr Ali said the project would increase beauty of the city and help the city dwellers to know about the history of Peshawar.