BEIJING (AP) — The government of Tibet’s capital city has begun a seven-month, 1.2 billion yuan ($196 million) project to help preserve Lhasa’s ancient heart.

State-owned China Tibetan News, citing a city government news conference from Friday, said the project will update the Barkhor area’s infrastructure, including water, sewer and electrical lines. The government also will build heating facilities, remove fire hazards, improve sanitation services, regulate signs and dismantle illegally built structures.