JK govt to renovate Jamia Masjid at Rs 6.29 crore

Srinagar, Feb 8 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir governmentwill spend Rs 6.29 crore on renovation and beautification ofthe historic Jamia Masjid in the heart of the old Srinagarcity.

A meeting of top state government officials led byDivisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon was held hereyesterday with the Jamia Masjid management committee todiscuss the renovation and beautification plans, an officialspokesman said here today.

Among the works to be undertaken include constructionof a modern shopping complex with facilities of parking ofvehicles and parks around the mosque, where moderate HurriyatConference Chairman Miwaiz Umar Farooq delivers Fridaysermons.

Rs 1.50 crore will be being spent on the constructionof gate way and the wall of the old courtyard of the mosqueand the development of the park, the spokesman said.

Besides, Rs 1.20 crore would be spent on installingthe street lights, drainage and repair of the lanes.

He said Rs 53 lakh will be spent on the beautificationof Jamia Masjid and Rs 36 lakh on other developmental worksaround the Jamia Masjid.

The Divisional Commissioner was informed by DirectorTourism Farooq Ahmad Shah that the Department of Tourism has aproposal to spent Rs 50 crore on bringing the Naagar Nagar onthe tourist map.

The Jamia Masjid was built by Sultan Sikandar in 1400AD. The attractions of the Jamia Masjid include beautifulIndo-Saracenic architecture, a magnificent courtyard and 370wooden pillars.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir government will spend Rs12.82 crore under Border Region Grand Fund (BRGF) for ongoingdevelopment works in district Kupwara.

"So far, Rs 10.50 crore have been incurred during thecurrent financial year," an official spokesman said after ameeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Kupwara M S Ratheryesterday.

The meeting discussed preparation of perspective plansfor next five years under BRGF.