Chandigarh: The Union Ministry of Tourism has approved a ₹93.94 crore project for the rejuvenation and redevelopment of Maharaja Ajj Sarovar in Kharar, Punjab’s Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district. The project is expected to give the historic water body a new tourism and heritage identity while improving the overall visitor experience.
The project has been approved under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Centre’s tourism infrastructure programme. The approval comes after consultations between the Punjab government and the Union Ministry of Tourism and is expected to support the long-term development and conservation of the site.
Maharaja Ajj Sarovar’s Historical Significance
Maharaja Ajj Sarovar is traditionally associated with Maharaja Ajj, regarded in Hindu tradition as the grandfather of Lord Rama. The site holds religious, cultural and historical significance for the Kharar region and has been the focus of conservation efforts for several years.
The Sarovar is spread over approximately 133 kanals along the Kharar–Chandigarh National Highway, giving it a prominent location for visitors travelling between the two cities. The planned redevelopment is aimed at turning the site into a more organised heritage and tourism destination while retaining its historical identity.
Earlier efforts to develop the Sarovar as a tourist attraction were also undertaken by the Punjab government. In 2022, the state had announced development work worth ₹10.69 crore for the site, while subsequent efforts focused on improving cleanliness, landscaping and visitor facilities.
Read Also: Punjab’s ₹750 Crore Village Push: 3,763 SC-Dominated Villages to Get Development Funds
Punjab Government and Centre Worked on Proposal
The latest approval follows efforts by both the Punjab government and representatives associated with the Sarovar to take the redevelopment proposal forward.
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria visited the site earlier this year during the inauguration of a Ram temple on the banks of the Sarovar. Following his visit, he pursued the proposal with the Union Ministry of Tourism.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also supported the initiative and directed state officials to prepare and submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for consideration by the Centre. The proposal subsequently moved through consultations before receiving approval from the Tourism Ministry.
Nearly Four Decades of Local Conservation Efforts
Local community participation has also played an important role in keeping the Sarovar’s conservation issue in focus.
Shashi Pal Jain, president of the Shri Ram Mandir Ajj Sarovar Vikas Committee, has been associated with efforts to preserve and develop the site for nearly four decades. According to him, local residents, community organisations and public representatives have consistently worked towards protecting and improving the Sarovar.
The sustained local efforts have helped keep attention on the historical importance of the site and the need for its long-term conservation. The newly approved project now provides a larger framework for taking these efforts forward through planned tourism development.
Restoring Water Flow Remains a Key Challenge
While the redevelopment is expected to improve the Sarovar as a tourism destination, the condition of the water body itself remains an important concern.
Jain has pointed out that restoring water to the Sarovar will be crucial for the long-term success of the project. Rapid urbanisation around Kharar has affected the natural watershed that feeds the water body, creating challenges for maintaining water levels.
This means that redevelopment will involve more than improving the appearance and facilities around the site. Sustaining the Sarovar as a functioning water body will also require attention to its natural water sources and surrounding environment.
What the ₹93.94 Crore Project Could Mean for Kharar
The redevelopment is expected to strengthen the tourism potential of Kharar by combining the Sarovar’s religious and historical significance with improved tourism infrastructure.
The site’s location along the Kharar–Chandigarh National Highway could also make it more accessible to visitors from Chandigarh, Mohali and surrounding areas. A better-developed destination could bring greater footfall to the area and create opportunities for local businesses connected with tourism and visitor services.
The project also highlights the role of heritage assets in expanding tourism beyond conventional destinations. By improving infrastructure around a historically significant site, the initiative can connect conservation with local tourism and community participation.
A New Chapter for Punjab’s Heritage Tourism
The approval of ₹93.94 crore under Swadesh Darshan marks a new stage in the redevelopment of Maharaja Ajj Sarovar. The project brings together central tourism funding, state-level planning and years of local conservation efforts.
For Kharar, the redevelopment could transform a historically significant but environmentally challenged water body into a more structured heritage and tourism destination. Its eventual impact, however, will depend not only on the infrastructure created around the Sarovar but also on preserving its water system and maintaining the site over the long term.
Read Also: Punjab Govt Hands 523 Appointment Letters, Expands Jobs, Healthcare & Employee Welfare Reforms
