MAMDOT (Ferozepore): The 300-year-old historic 'Mamdot Fort' in this border village has been turned into a helipad-cum-picnic resort by engineers and jawans of the Sehjara Brigade of the Golden Arrow Division. This has been done to protect the fort from further erosion. A promise for the same was made to the locals by the General Officer Commanding of the Golden Arrow Division, Maj-Gen K.C. Padha. Over the years, the fort had deteriorated into a state of ruins. A lot of encroachments had also taken place.

Talking to The Tribune, Brig O.P.S. Chauhan, Commander, Sehjara Brigade, said the persons who were in illegal occupation of kutcha houses on top of the fort were persuaded to vacate the house, which they did. The illegal occupants had been rehabilitated with the help of the village panchayat.
'Pucca' steps, a helipad-cum-picnic resort and a room have been constructed on top of the fort, which could have soon lost its historic value, if not adopted by the Army.

A board containing the history of the Mamdot Fort has been displayed in the newly constructed room on top of the fort, which was built by Qutub-ud-Din. He was a Hasanji Pathan who established his supremacy over Kasur.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh compelled Qutub-ud-Din to vacate Kasur and in lieu gave him the Jagir of Mamdot where in the 17th century he built Mamdot Fort. Subsequently, his dynasty was deposed and the fort was made a part of Ferozepore.

In order to give a nice look and stop further erosion of the fort, over 400 saplings, including neem and tulsi, have been planted. A water pump has also been installed as there was no water available on top of the fort. The entire work has been completed in a record time of less than a month.
The helipad-cum-picnic resort was inaugurated by Lt-Gen Kamal Davar, GOC, Vajra Corps, on December 10.