LAHORE Punjab Archaeology Department is going to restart work on conservation plan of different historical monuments, as provincial government has released Rs 14 million for taking up the project again, TheNation has learnt. The provincial government recently released an amount of Rs 6 million and 8 million for conservation work of some parts of Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens respectively, said a deputy director of the department on condition of anonymity. He said the department had received bids from 15 contractors after opening tenders. We are working to finalise the contractors and will be able to start work at the end of January, he said and added the perimeter wall of Lahore Fort and Arz Gah, which was situated behind the Deewan-e-Khas and used as office to deal public applications and complaints, would be restored in this phase. Basement chambers, a place between The Lal Burj and Kala Burj would also be repaired in this phase, he further said. The official told that they had also issued tenders to conserve some parts of Shalimar Gardens including its perimeter wall, middle terrace and Khwabgah. He said all works on the said sights would not only to preserve the buildings also to preserve its art and craft works. He further said they would not use any machine to ensure originality of the historical monuments and would use the same techniques which were exercised by adepts of Mughal era. The deputy director revealed that they had also received US Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservations instalment for shrines of Khawaja Ghulam Farid, Kot Mithan, Hazrat Rajan Qattal, Och Sharif, Mosa Pak Shaheed, Multan and Hazrat Hafiz Hayat, Gujrat. He said the shrines had been allocated Rs 5.5, 5.2, 1.8 and 4 millions respectively by the US Ambassador Fund and they had received Rs 2.1, 1.9, one and 1.3 millions in recent instalments respectively for the said shrines. For Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens, we have received bids from special contractors for preservation and after selection of contractors the work would be started immediately, The deputy director said and informed all the works would be completed before June 15, 2011.