After all these years, the grand majestic Derawar Fort, which is the crown jewel of the Cholistan desert and architectural marvel of Southern Punjab has been restored to its former glory. On 2nd May 2026, the Government of Punjab and the Department of Archaeology announced completion of an extensive multi-year conservation project. Yet the 40 famous bastions of the Fort, which once stood before a desert sky, this time rise again, but with a new set of rules that must be implemented to save this historic 9th century site for future generations.
A Landmark Restoration Effort
Derawar fort’s structure has been jeopardized by environmental factors and disinterest for decades. The recent work of rehabilitation and restoration by the Punjab Archaeology Department, primarily aimed at stabilising the dilapidated exterior walls, repairing the grand arched gateway and restoring the interior barracks. As part of the provincial efforts to make the fort a UNESCO World Heritage Site and promote international tourism at Bahawalpur, this project has been developed.
The 3 New Rules for Every Visitor
To have a hassle-free trip to Bahawalpur during May 2026 or beyond, you need to follow these three new rules:
Mandatory Online E-Ticketing
The administration has shifted from manual ticketing on the fort towards a remote solution to manage the number of visitors on-site and avoid structural problems to the fort’s foundation.
E-Ticket should be obtained through the official Punjab Tourism web portal before reaching the place of visit. There are now a maximum of 24 entries allowed a day to ensure there is not too much congestion. As with other events, people who don’t have a pre-booked QR code ticket will not be let in.
Strict Drone and Professional Photography Protocols
A few things to consider about mobile photography around the fort – in particular, strict privacy regulations are in place around the Royal graveyard, and the use of advanced photography equipment is very controlled so as not to damage the structural sensitivity of the fort.
Drones may not be used without a special permit. The Archaeology Department has a permit program for professional film crews and commercial photographers to obtain a permit at least 7 days prior to use. All equipment will be seized and a fine imposed for the use of a drone without registration.
‘Zero-Plastic’ and Waste Management Policy
The fort area has been declared as a protected environing zone to address the ever increasing problem of littering in Cholistan desert.
Derawar Fort is now a ‘No-Plastic Zone’. No provision is made for visitors to bring plastic water bottles, disposable food packaging or polythene bags on site. Water stations have been provided at the entrance for use by the public, which are designed to be eco-friendly.
Travel Tips for Derawar Fort
The distance between Bahawalpur city and the fort is about 100km, now the road is fully tarred and any sedan can reach the fort. The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) provides guided shuttle service from Bahawalpur where they also stop at the nearby Derawar Mosque, which is similar to Moti Masjid in Delhi.
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