Centuries-Old Gondla Fort in Lahaul Valley Set for ₹6-Crore Makeover; State Moves Centre for Special Heritage Grant
SHIMLA / KEYLONG — The historic Gondla Fort, an imposing multi-storey tower fort dating back to the 18th century in the Chandra Valley of Lahaul-Spiti, is set for comprehensive conservation and structural revival. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) amounting to ₹6 crore has been prepared by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), outlining the roadmap to stabilise and fortify the indigenous timber-and-stone structure.
The restoration proposal is being steered toward the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, to secure funding under central schemes dedicated to the preservation of Himalayan and Buddhist heritage sites.
Navigating Fund Ceilings for Comprehensive Revival
While conventional allocations under the Ministry of Minority Affairs’ Buddhist heritage preservation framework carry an upper ceiling of ₹1 crore, the substantial structural requirements of the seven-storey fortress necessitate higher outlays.
The Department of Language, Art & Culture (LAC), Himachal Pradesh, has finalised a proposal seeking a special relaxation of the standard financial threshold so that the full ₹6 crore project can be sanctioned in a single phase. The dossier is currently before the Administrative Secretary for clearance, after which it will be formally submitted to New Delhi.
Local MLA Anuradha Rana stated that Gondla Fort is an irreplaceable symbol of indigenous Himalayan architecture and cultural history that cannot afford administrative delays. She affirmed that she is actively pursuing the matter with the administrative department and the ministry to ensure the ₹6-crore proposal receives immediate clearance and the necessary funding relaxation from the Centre, prioritising scientific conservation that respects local sentiments and develops the monument into a sustainable cultural landmark for Lahaul.
Balancing Monument Preservation and Local Rights
The decision to pursue state-led restoration with INTACH, rather than transferring the property to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), came after careful consideration of community welfare.
Although the ASI had previously surveyed the complex to declare it a centrally protected monument, the formal notification was halted by the state government.
A central declaration would have imposed rigid buffer zones—prohibiting any construction within 100 metres and regulating activity within 200 metres—severely curtailing the rights of surrounding village residents to build or renovate their homes.
By leading the conservation project through INTACH and the state LAC department, the administration aims to execute the ₹6-crore restoration plan while safeguarding village livelihoods, positioning Gondla Fort as a major cultural attraction along the Manali–Leh highway.
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