A new deal for Jama Masjid area

By Lalit K. Jha

NEW DELHI, AUG. 17. An ambitious plan has been drawn up to restore the historic Jama Masjid in Delhi's Walled City area to its pristine glory. And perhaps for the first time in this Century, a concerted effort is being made to upgrade and redevelop the entire area around this 17th Century mosque.

If everything goes according to plan, the chaotic maze of unplanned growth, mind-boggling traffic and widespread encroachment around the Jama Masjid complex may soon become a thing of the past. The plan includes a new traffic management strategy for the area, provision of basic civic amenities to visitors, a beautification drive, and removal of all encroachments.

These recommendations form part of the report of the Zafar Saifullah Committee set up by the Delhi Government to suggest ways to improve the area around the mosque. The report has also found favour with the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid who has given an undertaking that he will not make any further demands if the recommendations are implemented in toto.

The committee's interim report, handed over recently to Delhi's Lieutenant-Governor, Mr. Vijai Kapoor, has called for a major traffic overhaul. It has suggested establishment of two underground parking lots, making the entire Jama Masjid Marg one- way, complete ban on heavy vehicles except tourist buses, and closing of Jama Masjid Loop Road to all vehicles except two- wheelers and autorickshaws. It has also suggested phasing out of cyclerickshaws and carts.

Calling for widening of Kasturba Hospital Marg and construction of two subways, the report says all overhead electric and phone cables should go underground and that median streetlights along the Jama Masjid be replaced by kerb-side lights. There is also a need to pedestrianise a large number of small roads and by-lanes in the area.

Describing the existing civic amenities inside the complex as far from adequate, the report calls for augmentation of ``Wuzu'' facilities by installing 1,000 permanent taps besides a large number of temporary ones to cater to the needs of devotees on special occasions like Id when the area attracts nearly two lakh visitors. The report has accepted the Shahi Imam's demand for a Langar Khana and a Tasbeeh Khana besides security guard rooms at its entrances.

Accepting the Shahi Imam's demand for staff quarters, Delhi's Police Commissioner has agreed to part with 0.5 of the 1.6-acre vacant land available in the vicinity. The rest would be used for building a police station and a fire station.

Recommending phased removal of encroachments, the report calls for immediate sealing of the lone night shelter in the area as it had become a centre of ``clandestine activities''. Unless this is done, squatters cannot be removed, it says.

While various government agencies have initiated the process of encroachment removal, it is learnt that the other recommendations will be taken up soon in a phased manner.

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