‘Old Kuhal’ To Revive Dharamshala: Administration, Municipal Corporation All Set To Renovate
Dharamshala, February 19 — In a major move to restore water infrastructure and beautify Dharamshala city, creating a tourist place, the District Administration and Municipal Corporation have devised an action plan to restore the historic old Kuhals of the city. The very water courses that sustained the town in centuries long past will soon be restored, with work that will improve the look and feel of the city while maintaining functional waterways.
The plans to renovate the Kuhal will focus on the segments that cover the stretch from Gamru, which is the origin point of the system, right up to multiple areas in Dharamshala. A field inspection was carried out by deputy commissioner Hemraj Bairwa and municipal corporation commissioner Zafar Iqbal along with officials from the relevant revenue department on Wednesday. The ancient routes traced by the Kuhals from the village of Gamru were mapped and the state of the water system was evaluated along with the plan of action for the restoration of the same.
Kuhals, which are heritage water channels constructed during times of antiquity for agriculture, domestic water supply, as well as for dharamshala and monasteries, are vital for keeping the Dharamshala population supplied with drinking water supplies, Deputy Commissioner Bairwa noted in a statement issued to the press. The Kuhals go all the way from Gamru to Kotwali Bazaar, Paridhi Griha, Sham Nagar, Ram Nagar and up to the area near Police Station and Jail. Bairwa said that the revival of these kuhals would not only ensure the uninterrupted availability of water to the city but would also make Dharamshala more attractive for tourists.
Plans for Restoration and Tourist Attraction
The renovation project aims to optimize the use of the Kuhals that continue to serve their historical purpose and allows the desired flow. But the campaign is not solely about dystopian practicality; it is also about giving the city another, more aesthetic dimension. The administration also aims to develop these old water channels as a public point for the locals and tourists to sit and enjoy the beauty of Dharamshala after rejuvenating this water channels.
During the restoration process, the historical beauty of the Kuhals will be preserved, but their infrastructure will be made modern to avoid water scarcity in the metropolis itself, said the Deputy Commissioner. “They will serve the practical purpose of distributing water, but they will also beautify the city, creating settings where people can sit by the water and savor the surroundings,” Bairwa said.
In a bid to enhance the experience of visitors, the authorities plan to beautify the areas around the Kuhals as well. The plan includes establishing small parks, seating areas, and other facilities, contributing to a more natural and comfortable atmosphere for both visitors and locals.
INSPECTION AND COMPREHENSIVE ACTION PLAN
Bairwa and Iqbal inspected a six-kilometer stretch included from the Gamru Treatment Plant to Kotwali Bazaar, covering important points like Mittha Nala and Paridhi Griha. On this visit these officials inspected the physical condition of Kuhals and discussed the repairs and improvements required.
Aside from the necessary infrastructure work, active measures should be taken by the Revenue Department to coordinate the renovation effort. Initially, up until the colonial period, there was a formwork and the primary purpose of the comahans (kuhals) was in supplying the city with water, but providing the city a visual and cultural enhancement was an overlooked component of this document,” Bairwa said. They also visited the water treatment plant at Gamru to confirm that the restoration process of the Kuhals is in line with the ongoing water distribution strategy.
Bringing Dharamshala’s Heritage Back to Life
Dharamshala — with its magnificent scenery and colorful Tibetan lifestyle — is rapidly emerging as one of the popular destinations for both spiritual seekers as well as the adventure tourists. The old Kuhals are building will likely bring to city habitat balcony, retro decor and konkan’s flavors indirectly. It also embodies a wider effort among local officials to lean into the city’s heritage while also upgrading its infrastructure for contemporary demands.
The Kuhals have lost their primary function in recent decades but their historic value is fundamental to Dharamshala’s quality of life; the system remains a pervasive part of the city’s identity. The plan by the administration to restore them highlights the city’s deep-seated relationship with its history and the significance of maintaining these centuries-old water networks.
Once the eight million internal water pipes are laid, Dharamshala will not only have access to a perennial source of water; its glitzy makeup will also help maintain the city’s colonial structures. However, repeating the Kuhals with the joint efforts of the District Administration, Municipal Corporation and the Revenue Department will emerge as another prominent feature of the city, abound in tourists and a sight to relax for the locals.
In Dharamshala, this is the reality, and the revival of the Kuhals is an answer to ensuring that its water systems are witnessing a renaissance; streamlining activities, maintaining the vibrancy and beauty of the city that is synonymous with it.
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