Consider recommendations for Jama Masjid's redevp: HC to DUAC

New Delhi, Jul 15 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today directed the Delhi Urban Arts Commission(DUAC) to consider recommendations of the Jama Masjid Redevelopment Committee and reply to the Court on September 24 so that the plan could be put in action soon.

Earlier, the High Court appointed a Court Commissioner and formed a Committee to make a plan for redevelopment and beautification of the principal mosque of Old Delhi.

As per the court, the Jama Masjid Plan was to be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV)in form of Public Company under section 25 of the Companies Act under the name of 'Jama Masjid Precinct Redevelopment Corporation'.

The Committee today presented its recommendations for the redevelopment plan of the area.

A bench comprising Justices Mukul Mudgal and Manmohan directed the DUAC to consider the plan and give their approval so that it could be implemented.

Meanwhile, a petition was filed in the court by a lawyer, Varun Goswami, stating that the Committee had changed the redevelopment plan and had tried to commercialise the Jama Masjid Area .

Goswami alleged that the plan showed that 300 shops could be built as against 100 existing shops in the vicinity. He also showed many discrepancies in the plan which would mar the beauty of the Jama Masjid.

The plan, drafted by Deputy Commissioner MCD(city Zone) Vijay Singh and Court Commissioner Kirti Uppal was presented in the Court on May 6 first.

However, some modifications were made in the plan which said that the underground parking should be at a safer distance of 170 to 200 meters from main structure of the Jama Masjid and the levels of parking should be reduced from minus three to minus two, necessitating a maximun excavation of 24 feet as against 36 feet earlier.

The final plan will be sent to DDA's Technical Committee and Heritage Conservation Committee for clearance. After its approval, global tenders will be called for hiring infrastructural development agencies and the work for beautification and redevelopment of the Jama Masjid will commence.

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