The visit of Mr Kamran Lashari , Director General , the Walled City Lahore Authority ( WCLA ) gave some hope to the people of Bhera for its revival. Meeting with Mr Kamran Lashari and his team of professionals and experts in their fields was held in Bhera on 31 January 2022 . It was attended by Commissioner Sargodha , Mr Nabeel Javed , Assistant Commissioner Bhera , Madam Sara Luni, Mr Nadeem Afzal Chan and Mr Hasan Inam Piracha and myself. Consensus was on four points, as under for restoration and preservation of cultural heritage of Bhera.
- Establishment of Information Centre at Bhera Interchange and Bhera Railway Station. Leaflets/pamphlets may also be placed in the information room of Sher Shah Suri Jama Masjid , as tourists often visit this mosque.
- Restoration of Bhera Railway Station, to be converted into Railway Heritage Museum , to run a train for a few kilometres. Establishment of a park at the railway station, including a jogging track, tuck shop, souvenirs shop, extensive tree plantation, swings for children, etc
- Out of nine darwazas, the reconstruction of three, have been demolished and encroached,i.e., Peeranwala ( 1865 ), Haji Ghulab ( 1865), and Loharan Mori ( 1873). Mr Kamran Lashari during a tour of the town, pointed out three more darwazas , which have been renovated badly, should be re-done. , close to the original condition, i.e., Chirrya Ghog Darwaza ( known as Chirri Chowk darwaza, Qabli Gate – 1865 ), Chitti Pully Darwaza ( Cashmeeri Gate – 1863 ) and Ganj Mandi Darwaza ( Lahori Gate – 1869).
- Restoration and preservation of Bouliwala Mandir ( near Mohalla Pirachgan), park development, and the swings for children in the adjacent area. ( About, six Kanals of the temple’s land, are under the Evacuee Trust Property Department ).
A few pictures are shared.
Zahid Mumtaz
