Peshawar to get heritage trail

Govt will divert traffic, evict fishmongers around Ghanta Ghar

PESHAWAR: Days after a centuries old ‘sleeping Buddha’ statue was unearthed near the Bhamala Stupa in Haripur, the provincial authorities have started work on developing a ‘cultural heritage trail’ for what it says is an impending influx of tourists — domestic and foreign.

Officials of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Directorate of Archaeology and Museums told The Express Tribune that the project, which aims to make access to historical landmarks in Peshawar easier, will be completed at a cost of Rs300 million and will take around four months to complete — just in time for the summer tourist season.



“The trail will lead to tourists to some historical landmarks and will help to tell the story of the city’s historical past in a more pleasant manner,” said Nawazuddin, a research officer at the K-P Directorate of Archaeology and Museums.

The heritage trail will begin at the historical Ghanta Ghar. It will then pass through Baazar-e-Kalan and the Sethian Mohallah — a once upscale neighbourhood of the city which houses seven palatial wooden havelis built by the Sethis in 1882.

The trail will culminate at the archaeological complex of Gor Gathri — used by the Italian mercenary general Paolo Avaitable as his residence during the Sikh rule on the city. The complex also houses the Sarai Jahandad which has been converted into an artisan village, a 17th century Hindu temple and a British-built fire brigade with two vintage fire engines dating back to 1912. The complex also boasts a museum and an excavation site which is over 2,000-years-old.

But before Peshawar can welcome visitors, it will probably have to undergo some traffic-altering experiences and a cleanup of encroachments.

Routine traffic, the official suggested, will be diverted onto alternative routes while shopkeepers at the fish market around Ghanta Ghar have also been told by the city administration to clear the area, the official said.

“The walking trail and driving route will work as guidebooks relating to cultural heritage,” said Nawaz.

While the government initially planned to restore all the historical buildings along the trail, they have since changed tack to focus on building the trail since most of the buildings are not owned by the government.

In this regard, they are now concentrating on managing the sewerage lines, building underground power lines and laying gas supply pipes and constructing the walkways.

“There are 25 streets along the trail which will also be renovated,” Nawaz said.

To bring the project to life, the official said, the government was working with the Aga Khan Heritage Trust  — which has been helping Lahore restore the walled city and fort.

“These breathtaking historical sites are highly attractive for tourists. The heritage trail will make these sites more attractive,” he hoped. “It will allow residents and tourists the chance to explore the city’s heritage in proper way.”



While the project was announced almost two years back, construction work has yet to begin owing to the involvement of different stakeholders including the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL).



Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2017.