15th century second largest mosque in Srinagar being renovated

Srinagar, May 4 (UNI) For the preservation of rich cultural heritage in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government has taken up a number of projects, including renovation of 15th century Aali Masjid, the second largest mosque after Jamia masjid in the summer capital.

Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, during an extensive tour of the old city inspected the pace of progress on the works undertaken by the Tourism Department with a view to promote Heritage Tourism and also the works being done by the Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA).

He inspected the renovation of the historic Aali Masjid being undertaken by the Tourism department under the Heritage Development Programme.

The work for the phase-I has been started from May 2007 at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore on the historical mosque.

Mr Baig also inspected the ongoing works in the Nagin Club which is also being constructed by the tourism department at an estimated cost of Rs one crore.

The Club, besides, having the facilities of guest house has also been provided with the state of art facilities.

Stressing the need to preserve the environment, he said by doing same we are also contributing our mite towards preservation of the rich cultural heritage which the nature has bestowed upon us.

The Deputy Chief Minister said it is the government's effort to promote heritage tourism in the state and the renovation of Aali Masjid and other related sites is a step towards the same.

''We have also bought certain areas on the tourism map which were previously unknown to the tourists,'' he asserted.

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