The manner in which the sandstone railing of the two minarets situated in the tank in the Sheesh Mahal complex are falling is symptomatic of the importance given to the maintenance of cultural heritage in Punjab.

The situation has become such that now a sudden gust is sometimes enough to make part of the failing fall and crumble to the ground. The railing is being religiously stored in the complex although nothing is being done to tackle the problem for which little money is required.

The sandstone railing is the life of three-storeyed minarets which was used to enable royalty to get fresh air when going up as well as view the tank below. The borders of the railing on all three-floors enhance the architectural beauty of the minarets. It has been noticed that wherever a portion of the railing falls it leads to a cascading effect with the other part of the railing also giving way slowly.

The Assistant Conservators have over the years sent various estimates to carry out repair as well as install a new railing where needed. The first estimate was sent on January 18, 1997, the second six months later the third last May and the latest one on January 28. According to the last estimate, Rs 53,000 was needed but the department is yet to release funds.

The situation has turned precarious now. Assistant Conservator Yog Raj disclosed that a part of the railing constituting three 'jaalis' had fallen down after being weakened a few days back. Holding a private painting competition in the compound of the complex by the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) in which a few thousand children participated has not helped matters. Even on that day in mid-February a portion of the sandstone railing had come crashing down when children was on the first floor of the minaret. The railing, which fell recently, is on the same floor.