Restoration of historic Oont Kadal in Dal Lake

SRINAGAR: Deputy Ambassador, Dr Jasper Wieck, and Cultural officer, Federal Republic of Germany Thomas Schmidt  signed an agreement with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) at Shalimar Garden Srinagar for restoration of Oont Kadal in Dal lake.

 

The Deputy Ambassador said that restoration of Oont Kadal, a stone masonry bridge built in Dal Lake in 1670s during Mughal era, will bring focus on the significance of the Dal Lake as part of the global cultural and natural heritage.

Highlighting the importance and need for restoring the structure, Jasper Wieck said that a large number of tourists take a boat trip for taking pictures at Oont Kadal as reminds them of part of the famed Mughal landscape of the historic gardens and the Dal lake.

He added that the structure lies in the midst of the Dal lake as an isolated feature adds to its charm.

Considering the historic and contextual value of the Oont Kadal, an elaborate conservation plan prepared by INTACH was send to German Embassy, New Delhi for its restoration. After INTACH’s  request for considering funding for restoration of Oont Kadal, Political Minister Counselor, Embassy of FRG in India, Arno Kirchhop, visited Srinagar for on spot inspection of the feasibility and potential of proposed project.

Later they visited the Oont Kadal in Dal Lake.

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