*“Azadi ki Pahli Ladai ka Shaheed Smarak” to be inaugurated soon – Energy Minister Anil Vij*

*Energy Minister Anil Vij holds meeting with officials of various departments at Shaheed Smarak and issues directions*

Chandigarh, May 23 — Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij said that the Shaheed Smarak dedicated to the First War of Independence of 1857 will be inaugurated soon. He directed the concerned officials and authorities that since Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini recently visited and reviewed the memorial, all remaining minor works should now be completed on a war footing by the concerned departments and agencies.

Energy Minister Anil Vij was today chairing a meeting of officials from various departments at the Shaheed Smarak in Ambala Cantonment. Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomar, SDM Ambala Cantonment Kanika Goyal, and Shaheed Smarak Director Dr. Kuldeep Saini were also present on the occasion.

Chairing the meeting, Sh. Vij said that the memorial being constructed in honor of the First War of Independence is a national-level Smarak and tourists and visitors will come here to witness its grandeur and beauty. Keeping this in mind, all pending minor works related to the memorial must be completed with full dedication and urgency. He also expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inaugurate the memorial.

During the meeting, after reviewing updates from the concerned agencies and departments, Sh. Vij issued directions regarding better ticketing arrangements, ensuring that no unauthorized entry or exit gates are installed, proper lighting arrangements inside the museum, lighting along stairways, installation of ramps, railings in the memorial premises, pathways extending from the galleries to the outer areas, and several other aspects related to visitor convenience and safety. He emphasized that since the inauguration of the Shaheed Smarak is nearing, all works should be carried out on a war footing.

Energy Minister Anil Vij also directed the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India to make arrangements for an accelerator lane outside the memorial on GT Road and to install decorative lighting and undertake plantation along the GT Road. He further instructed the Executive Engineer of the PWD Electrical Wing to ensure high-quality lighting arrangements both inside and outside the memorial so that visitors can appreciate the beauty of the Smarak during nighttime as well.

Sh. Vij also directed that factual details showing that the First War of Independence had actually begun from Ambala Cantonment — nearly 10 hours before the uprising in Meerut — should be prominently displayed. He said these historical events and details should be showcased through 3D technology so that tourists and visitors can gain complete knowledge about the First War of Independence, its events, and historical significance. He added that this grand memorial would become a source of inspiration for youth and future generations.

On this occasion, Shaheed Smarak Director Dr. Kuldeep Saini gave a detailed presentation regarding the works already completed under the grand memorial project and the remaining tasks yet to be finished. SDM Kanika Goyal, Superintending Engineer of the Electricity Department V.K. Goyal, Executive Engineer of PWD Ritesh Goyal, Executive Engineer (Electrical) Naveen Rathi, Executive Engineer of the Public Health Department Harbhajan Singh, along with officials from various other departments, were also present during the meeting.