Installation of Hydraulic Vertical Lift with 40-Seater Capacity at Ambala’s Shaheed Smarak, Possibly India’s First Lift of Its Kind – Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij
Every visit to the Shaheed smarak brings a new experience, today we witnessed the video presentation and the vertical lift –Anil Vij
Upon the opening of the Shaheed smarak, Haryana school students will visit the memorial as per a roster system to learn about history – Vij
Chandigarh : Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij today said that a hydraulic vertical lift with a seating capacity of 40 people has been installed at the museum of the Shaheed smarak commemorating the First War of Independence in Ambala. This lift, connecting the lower floor to the upper floors, could possibly be the first of its kind installed in any memorial in India.
Sh. Vij was inspecting the international-level Shaheed smarak being constructed on GT Road, Ambala, in memory of the martyrs of the 1857 First War of Indian Independence. During the inspection, Cabinet Minister Anil Vij reviewed various art and digital galleries being developed in the museum. He directed officials and agency representatives to expedite the work and ensure completion of each gallery and hall.
While interacting with media persons, Sh. Vij said that work on the Shaheed smarak is progressing rapidly, with nearly 150 artists, workers and officials engaged in the construction. “Each time we visit, we find something new. Today, we viewed a presentation through the video gallery and inspected the open-air theatre equipped with a 40-seater hydraulic vertical lift. The lift allows easy access from one floor to another,” he stated. Provisions for ramps, staircases and lifts have been made at multiple locations. Additionally, two high-speed lifts have been installed to transport visitors to the 12th floor, where a Sky Café is being developed.
Multiple Selfie Points Created Across the Memorial- Vij
He informed that several selfie points have been set up throughout the Shaheed smarak. Plans are underway to introduce a program wherein, after the inauguration, students from classes 6 to 12 across Haryana will be brought to the memorial on a roster basis to educate them about the history of the 1857 struggle for independence.
The History We Were Taught Was Incomplete, The First War of Independence Was in 1857 – Vij
Anil Vij emphasized that the history taught earlier was incorrect, as the First War of Independence took place in 1857, much before the formation of the Indian National Congress. He said that the general public remains unaware of these facts, and through the memorial, they will be informed about the early spirit of freedom. Vij spoke about the sacrifices made by heroes like Rani Lakshmibai and Tatya Tope, the battles fought by the infantry, and the brutalities faced, including public shootings and disbandment of military units by the British. “These hidden aspects of history will be showcased at the memorial,” he added.
Minister Anil Vij Issues Directives to Officials During a Meeting
After inspecting the site, Sh.Vij held a meeting with departmental officials and construction agency staff. He issued instructions for tendering the appointment of guides for the memorial, enhancing landscaping, tendering parking facilities, procuring 1857-era weapons from the army for exhibition, among other directives.
Sh. Anil Vij Reviews Presentations at the Museum
Earlier, while inspecting the Shaheed smarak, Sh. Vij reviewed presentations in the galleries under development. He praised the video presentations being displayed via projector and instructed that the remaining work be completed promptly. He also directed that the memorial be made Wi-Fi enabled, that a ramp or lift be provided for access to the cafeteria, and that maintenance tenders be floated.
*Director of the Shaheed smarak, Dr. Kuldeep Saini, briefed the minister extensively about the ongoing works.
Present during the inspection were Public Works Department Superintendent Engineer Harpal Singh, Executive Engineers Ritesh Aggarwal and Naveen Rathi, Councillor Sanjeev Atri, Raman Chatwal, BJP leader Balit Nagpal, among others.