Earlier in July, Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government approved for the restoration and conservation of ancestral homes of India's legendary actors Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor. As per a report in PTI, Rs 33.8 million (which is over Rs 3 crore) was allocated for the renovation.
The reconstruction and renovation work on the properties have officially began in Pakistan's Peshawar city on Monday (July 28), according to officials.
The project, which includes the structural and aesthetic restoration of the historical buildings of the icons, will be completed in two years at an estimated cost of Rs 70 million (Rs 7 crore), said Director of Archaeology Dr Abdus Samad, as per PTI.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has released the funds for the renovation.
The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums will look after the work, which aims to restore the buildings to their original condition.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Archaeology Department has planned to transform both the structures into museums dedicated to the lives and careers of both the legendary maestros.
The historic buildings of Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, was declared national heritage by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on July 13, 2014.
Dr Samad said that the primary objective of the project is to safeguard the province’s historical and cultural heritage while promoting heritage tourism. He also said the initiative will not only boost local tourism but also create new employment opportunities.
"With the support of the World Bank, these projects will revolutionise the tourism sector in the province. Our aim is to make Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s beautiful cultural landmarks a focal point for tourists worldwide," said Zahid Khan Shinwari, the provincial government's Advisor for Tourism.
