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News18
2 days ago
- General
- News18
Mughal-era twin forts in Jharkhands Palamau Tiger Reserve set for facelift
Ranchi, Jul 20 (PTI) Restoration and conservation work at the over 400-year-old twin forts in Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR) of Jharkhand is set to begin soon after over two decades of efforts, an official said. A detailed project report (DPR) has already been prepared for the facelift of the twin forts, built by the tribal Chero kings of Palamu. After verification of the DPR by the Building Construction Department, it will be sent for vetting by agencies under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to initiate the process of inviting tenders for restoration and conservation of the forts, he added. In a recent high-level meeting, chaired by state Tourism Minister Sudivya Kumar and attended by Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore and secretaries of the forest and tourism departments, it was decided to initiate the tendering process and assign the task to a party with prior experience in the development of archaeological sites, according to an official release. The restoration work is estimated to cost between Rs 40 and Rs 50 crore, the release stated. In 2005, the state government had approved the restoration work for the twin forts, but it failed to commence due to several hurdles, including forest clearance, as the sites fall under the jurisdiction of PTR in Latehar district, a retired official of the state government said. 'All hurdles have been cleared and all stakeholders have given their go-ahead to the restoration project. Once the tender is finalised, the restoration work will begin," PTR Deputy Director Prajesh Jena told PTI. Located deep in the forests on the banks of the Auranga River and around 30 km from Medininagar, the two forts — Purana Quila (Old Fort) and Naya Quila (New Fort) — were built at the beginning of the Mughal period by the kings of Chero dynasty. Chero king Anant Rai is believed to have built the old fort on the plains, which had defences on three sides and three gates, while the new fort on an adjoining hill was built by Anant's successor King Medini Rai. However, some historians believe the old fort was built by Raksel dynasty, and later renovated by Chero kings. Cheros defended the forts from Mughals for many years but ultimately, both the forts were occupied by Daud Khan, they said. The architecture is Islamic in style, which reflects Daud Khan's conquest, according to the Jharkhand tourism website. Former deputy director at the state archaeology department, H P Sinha, said a restoration work had been initiated in 2007-08, but it could not progress for two reasons — Maoists and the want of the forest department's permission. 'The entire area was affected by Maoist activities at that time. This was a major hurdle. Besides, a certain number of trees needed to be felled for the restoration work. But, we did not get the permission of the forest department for a long time," Sinha told PTI. The forts are currently in a deplorable condition, with the massive structures gradually crumbling into rubble. In February 2021, an ASI experts' team, along with officials of Latehar administration, inspected the twin forts to draw a conservation plan. A former tourism director said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was interested in carrying out restoration of the forts but the forest department had raised objections as the forts are part of Jharkhand's lone tiger reserve. 'When ASI undertakes any work, it requires the transfer of land into its name. Since the forts are in a tiger reserve area, land cannot be transferred," PTR Deputy Director Jena explained. Jena said, however, when they studied more, they found that land cannot be transferred to any party in the tiger reserve area but there is no binding in carrying out renovation work. 'If a DPR for renovation is approved by ASI through its technical specification, the work can be done. So, a DPR has been prepared and it needs vetting," Jena said. He said they would go for a tendering process after approval of DPR by the agencies concerned. The DPR was prepared by the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD). State ITRHD head Shree Deo Singh said the old fort is spread over an area of 18 acres and the new fort over an area of 11.5 acres. 'Stone and Lakhori bricks were used in the original structure. Lime and 'surkhi', finely powdered burnt clay, were used as mortar. The same materials will be used in the restoration of the structure. The essence of the original architectural style will be maintained," Singh told PTI. Regarding the challenges, he said that large trees have grown on the campus, with roots spreading across the monument walls, posing a significant challenge. 'The structure is about 40-feet high and around three to four metres wide. If the trees and roots were not removed carefully, they may damage the structure after restoration," he said. PTI SAN ACD First Published: July 20, 2025, 13:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Expedite remaining construction work of SDRF campus: CM
Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Saturday visited Bihta and reviewed the progress of the ongoing construction works of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) headquarters, and the Bihta-Danapur elevated road. He instructed the officials to expedite the remaining work and ensure early completion of both the projects. During the inspection of buildings at the SDRF headquarters, he examined the facilities being provided on the first and third floors of the administrative building. He also assessed the newly constructed and buildings under-construction in the SDRF headquarters campus and the surrounding areas, obtaining detailed updates from officials about the progress and current status of the construction work. The Building Construction Department secretary Kumar Ravi provided detailed information to the CM about the campus under-construction through the proposed model of the SDRF headquarters. Ravi explained that the headquarters campus will feature essential facilities such as an administrative building, auditorium, training center, quartermaster store, a national-level swimming pool for flood relief training, accommodations for officers and staff, barracks for personnel, housing for doctors, and sports facilities. Most of the buildings have been completed, Ravi said. The CM emphasized the importance of easy access to the campus, and directed the installation of solar panels on the newly constructed buildings, highlighting the benefits. Nitish also said that a decision has been made to install solar panels on all govt buildings, and work is already underway in this direction. After that, the CM inspected the under-construction Bihta-Danapur elevated road to review its progress. Officials informed him that this elevated four-lane road will include four bypasses (Neuraganj, Painal, Kanhauli, and Vishunpura) and is a crucial part of the Patna-Buxar four-lane road. "The Bihta-Danapur elevated project spans 25.081 km, starting from Danapur railway station and connecting to the Koilwar Bridge. The project is costing Rs 1,969.39 crore. The project's start date is March 11, 2024, and a completion date is set for Sept 6, 2026. The first phase of the project has been completed two months ahead of schedule, with current progress at 30.07 percent. The elevated road will have a total of 387 pillars, with work on 289 in progress, including four large bridges, 10 small bridges, 37 culverts, and one underpass," a communiqué issued from the CMO said. "Once completed, this project will facilitate smooth traffic from Koilwar to Danapur, saving fuel and time. It will also provide special connectivity to Bihta Airport and improve connectivity to Patna," the CMO said.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM lays foundation for biggest tribal boys' hostel
1 2 Ranchi: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a 520-bed multi-storey boys' hostel at the Adivasi Hostel Campus in Karamtoli. The Rs 26.24-crore project, to be executed by the Building Construction Department (BCD), will be one of the biggest with an aim to provide free, quality residential facilities for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students pursuing higher education in the state capital. The hostel will have a total of 520 beds, with 40 accommodations on the first floor and the remaining spread across six upper floors. According to officials, the construction will begin next week and is expected to be completed by 2027. Alongside this project, three more hostels, including a 528-bedded girls' hostel, are in the pipeline, with only one witnessing today's bhumi pujan. "This vision is finally taking shape. We want to ensure every child from tribal and marginalised communities gets the right environment to study and succeed. From school to competitive exams, medical, engineering, and law, the state govt is supporting students at every level," the CM said. BCD secretary Arava Rajkamal said, "This project reflects our commitment to inclusive and future-ready infrastructure. The boys' hostel will be a G+6 structure with 520 beds, equipped with two 8-passenger lifts, fire safety systems, modern sanitation facilities, and study-focused amenities. From deep borewells and septic tanks to well-ventilated rooms and terrazzo-tiled roads, every detail has been planned to ensure that tribal students have a safe, dignified, and conducive environment to pursue their education. " "I stay in a govt hostel and prepare for UPSC. The hostel gives me a safe place to live and study without worrying about food or rent. With the new facilities coming up, students like me will get even better opportunities," Ramesh Horo, a student from Gumla preparing for civil services, said. "Meals will be served free in hostels now. We want students to focus on their studies and push Jharkhand forward," welfare minister Chamra Linda said. He also confirmed that separate hostels for boys and girls will be built in both Ranchi and Palamu. "In Ranchi district alone, the welfare department is currently operating 64 hostels to support students from marginalised communities. These include 42 for ST students, six for SC, four for BC, and 12 for minorities. Of these, 40 are boys' hostels and 24 are for girls," said Ranchi DC Manjunath Bhajantri. The CM also reiterated the govt's plan to establish Dr B R Ambedkar libraries in every district, aiming to create academic spaces across the state.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Soon, a J'khand Bhavan in Puri
Ranchi: Jharkhand govt will build a guest house in Puri in Odisha to extend accommodation facilities for visitors from the state. The new facility will come up over a 35-decimal plot at Balukhand, near Konark Wildlife Sanctuary and eight kilometres from Jagannath Temple, officials here state Building Construction Department (BCD) has floated an e-tender to appoint a consultancy firm for the preparing a detailed project report (DPR) and project management consultancy (PMC) firm for the project. A BCD notice states that bids can submitted online until May 26.A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for May 19, where consultancy firms will present their concept proposals and architectural drawings. "We are expecting reputed firms to showcase their designs and execution plans. One firm will be selected based on their presentation and technical expertise," said Manoj Kumar, executive engineer of the said the firm will be required to prepare the DRP within a month as the department aims to begin construction later this year. "Once the DPR is ready, construction will start without delay," he it has not yet been decided whether the upcoming guesthouse will be reserved for govt dignitaries only or made accessible to the public. "That decision is still under discussion and will be taken at a later stage," Kumar from this upcoming project, Jharkhand already has two guesthouses in New Delhi. The one at Vasant Vihar, built nearly a decade ago, is expected to be opened to the public soon. Chief minister Hemant Soren inaugurated a swanky new Jharkhand Bhawan in New Delhi's Bangla Sahib Road in September last year. That apart, plans are afoot to set up another Jharkhand Bhawan in Mumbai.
