MCD submits Jama Masjid devp plan before HC

New Delhi, May 2: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) today submitted a Rs 94 crore project before the Delhi High Court for the beautification of historic Moghul monument Jama Masjid and its surrounding areas in two years.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma asked the MCD to complete the project in a time-bound manner.

The MCD had asked the Delhi Government to sanction Rs 74 crore in two years. The proposed Rs 20 crore multi-level under-ground car parking at Parade Ground would be executed on built-operate-take (BOT) basis, said the affidavit filed by MCD Assistant Commissioner (City Zone) R P Aggrawal.

The Court suggested the MCD to introduce mono-rail transport system to get rid of heavy traffic and rickshaws in Chandni Chowk area.

Giving details about the break-ups, the MCD said Rs 40 crore for multi-level under-ground car parking, Rs 19 crore for development of Netaji Subhash Marg corridor from Lothian Bridge Crossing to Daryaganj crossing, and Rs 6.30 crore for development of peripheral roads from Netaji Subhash Marg till Parade Ground and Rs 8.14 crore for development of the area near Meena Bazar would be spent in two years.

During the financial year 2006-07, Rs 30 core would be spent and the rest Rs 44 crore in next financial year.

The High Court had asked the authorities to remove the illegal and unauthorised structures in and around historic Moghul monument Jama Masjid to make it one of the finest holy place in the country.

While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the bench had said, ''The monument must be placed in its right perspective. The bitter truth must be digested by removing the illegal structures.''

UNI