This is one delay that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will not like. Even after two months since he handed over the “keys” of the historic 18th century Gobindgarh Fort to the state government, the monument, presently occupied by the Indian Army, is yet to be opened for the general public. The process of declaring the fort for public view is entangled in bureaucratic hassles as formalities to declare the fort to public are yet to be completed, much to the dismay of conservationists and social activists.

It was after the intervention of the PMO that the fort was handed over to the district administration during a glittering ceremony organised here. GOC, Panther Division, Major General K.S. Shergill handed over the keys of the fort to the PM, who further passed on the keys to the then chief minister, Capt Amarinder Singh.

It was after prolonged efforts that the fort was cleared for civilian use by the Defence Ministry and consequently decided to be opened for the general public.

“Was the handing over of the fort limited to just a formal function? When will this fort be opened to the general public, as envisaged by the PM,” Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) state convenor Dr Sukhdev Singh wanted to know. He said they had welcomed the opening of the fort for the masses and declare it as a cultural heritage, but the whole process seems to be entangled in bureaucratic hassles. “We had even demanded that the fort be declared as a war museum,” he added.

Social activists Brij Bedi and Charanjeet Singh Gumtala of Citizens’ Forum and Amritsar Vikas Manch, respectively, however, doubted if the civic administration would be able to maintain the fort properly like it was being done by the Army. They said the fort, spread over 17 acres, should be preserved in its pristine glory. Prof Sukhdev said district officials must ensure that its surroundings are not encroached upon and it becomes a tourists attraction after the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Durgiana Temple in the Holy City.

“I am taking up the matter with higher Army authorities for the vacation of the fort. They are yet to inform us when will they move out,” said Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, Kirandeep Singh Bhullar. He said they were busy in the Assembly polls and could not send a reminder, but would speed up the process for opening up of the historic place for the public.

While the GOC was not available for comment, Deputy GOC Brigadier Raghu Kapoor did not come on line when contact was established. Army Public Relations Officer Naresh Wig, meanwhile, said the process to move the Army out was on, though he was not sure when the whole exercise would be completed. Asked if the fort was transferred just on papers and nothing had been done on ground, he said the Army would establish contact with the civilian authorities for the opening up of the fort to the public as decided.