GOVERNMENT TO RENOVATE JAMIA MASJID

Srinagar Feb 08 (Only Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir government will spend Rs 6.29 crore on renovation and beautification of the historic Jamia Masjid in the heart of the old Srinagar city.A meeting of top state government officials led by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon was held here on Monday with the Jamia Masjid management committee to discuss the renovation and beautification plans, an official spokesman said here Tuesday.
Among the works to be undertaken include construction of a modern shopping complex with facilities of parking of vehicles and parks around the mosque, where moderate Hurriyat Conference Chairman Miwaiz Umar Farooq delivers Friday sermons.
Rs 1.50 crore will be being spent on the construction of gate way and the wall of the old courtyard of the mosque and the development of the park, the spokesman said.
Besides, Rs 1.20 crore would be spent on installing the street lights, drainage and repair of the lanes.
He said Rs 53 lakh will be spent on the beautification of Jamia
Masjid and Rs 36 lakh on other developmental works around the Jamia Masjid.
The Divisional Commissioner was informed by Director Tourism Farooq Ahmad Shah that the Department of Tourism has a proposal to spent Rs 50 crore on bringing the Naagar Nagar on the tourist map.
The Jamia Masjid was built by Sultan Sikandar in 1400 AD. The attractions of the Jamia Masjid include beautiful Indo-Saracenic architecture, a magnificent courtyard and 370 wooden pillars.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir government will spend Rs 12.82 crore under Border Region Grand Fund (BRGF) for ongoing development works in district Kupwara.
“So far, Rs 10.50 crore have been incurred during the current financial year,” an official spokesman said after a meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Kupwara M.S. Rather on Monday.
The meeting discussed preparation of perspective plans for next five years under BRGF.