Image Courtesy: Mid-Day
New Delhi:
A mosque, that withstood the Partition and the wear and tear of more than a hundred years, is ready to cave-in.
The Irwin Road mosque, opposite the Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place, developed big cracks in its walls and the ceiling when the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) started tunneling work on the Airport express line.
When the mosque administration took up the matter with the DMRC, it directed the contractor to pay damages for reconstruction of the structure. However, when the repair work was started, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) threw a spanner in the works, saying they should have got the clearance from the civic body first.
The technical team of the DMRC inspected the mosque and acknowledged in writing that structure of the mosque has become dangerous and any mishap can take place. It was only the DMRC that advised the managing committee of the mosque to get the structure strengthened. At the first instance we were reluctant to take the responsibility of repair work but only on persuasion by the DMRC, we agreed to get the work done on their behalf, said IA Siddique, former member of Delhi Public Grievance Commission.
The DMRC has also put barricades around the mosque. The DMRC authorised the managing committee to carry out strengthening work by erecting columns within the old structure of the mosque at an estimated cost of Rs 10,72,000 out of which 50 per cent- Rs 5,36,000 was given through a cheque to the managing committee to complete the work within 90 days, Siddique said.
But, on the request of the NDMC, the local police (Connaught Police Station) stopped the work on March 6. No one took any permission from the NDMC for any construction. We have written to the DMRC on this matter and are waiting for their reply, said a senior NDMC official, requesting anonymity.
The matter should be resolved at the earliest, said Haji Latif, the Imam of the mosque.
If there is any sort of damage to any property, the contractor is liable to paycompensation for that, said Anuj Dayal, spokesperson, DMRC.
The Irwin Road mosque, opposite the Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place, developed big cracks in its walls and the ceiling when the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) started tunneling work on the Airport express line.
When the mosque administration took up the matter with the DMRC, it directed the contractor to pay damages for reconstruction of the structure. However, when the repair work was started, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) threw a spanner in the works, saying they should have got the clearance from the civic body first.
The technical team of the DMRC inspected the mosque and acknowledged in writing that structure of the mosque has become dangerous and any mishap can take place. It was only the DMRC that advised the managing committee of the mosque to get the structure strengthened. At the first instance we were reluctant to take the responsibility of repair work but only on persuasion by the DMRC, we agreed to get the work done on their behalf, said IA Siddique, former member of Delhi Public Grievance Commission.
The DMRC has also put barricades around the mosque. The DMRC authorised the managing committee to carry out strengthening work by erecting columns within the old structure of the mosque at an estimated cost of Rs 10,72,000 out of which 50 per cent- Rs 5,36,000 was given through a cheque to the managing committee to complete the work within 90 days, Siddique said.
But, on the request of the NDMC, the local police (Connaught Police Station) stopped the work on March 6. No one took any permission from the NDMC for any construction. We have written to the DMRC on this matter and are waiting for their reply, said a senior NDMC official, requesting anonymity.
The matter should be resolved at the earliest, said Haji Latif, the Imam of the mosque.
If there is any sort of damage to any property, the contractor is liable to paycompensation for that, said Anuj Dayal, spokesperson, DMRC.
