Pathankot, February 13: The fight to save 5,500-year-old Mukteshwar caves, which are associated with the Pandavas, has intensified with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Gurdaspur MP Sunil Jakhar urging Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari to keep in mind the religious sentiments of the locals while constructing the Shahpur Kandi barrage project. The duo had taken up the matter with the Union Minister on their recent visit to New Delhi.
Legend has it that the Pandavas had created these fissures from the Shivalik hills during their period in exile and subsequently made them their abode for many years.
Members of the Mukteshwar Dham Bachao Committee, led by its chairman Bhim Singh, said once the dam’s reservoir is constructed, the water level would go up, following which all four caves would get submerged.
Jakhar had visited the area recently after which he decided to take up the cudgels on behalf of the committee.
Sudhir Gupta, Superintendent Engineer, Shahapur Kandi barrage project, said he was in touch with the committee and senior officers to ensure that the historically significant caves were not affected. “The villagers are getting panicky without any reason,” said Gupta. However, the committee is not convinced.
News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
