'ASI to start restoration job of Jama Masjid'

New Delhi, Aug 25: The Delhi High Court today directed the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) to start immediately the restoration and conservation work of the historic Moghul monument Jama Masjid according to the project subimitted by the Delhi Waqf Board.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma asked the authorities to complete the Rs 94 crore project in a time-bound manner.

Counsel Jayant Tripathy submitted that the ASI would start the short-term repairs immedaitely and subsequently take up the restoration and conservation jobs.

Waqf Board Counsel Najim Wajiri submitted the detailed report before the Court and sought direction to the authorities for starting the restoration work.

The Court also directed the MCD to remove the recent encroachments near the Taiwala School, which was earlier demolished during a drive.

The Waqf Board and the MCD had earlier submitted the project report before the High Court for the beautification of Jama Masjid and its surrounding areas in two years.

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.

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