The Indian Express   16.08.2012

Civic officials say redevelopment plans for Jama Masjid area held up

The ongoing row over the illegal construction in Subhash Park, where area MLA Shoaib Iqbal claims to have dug up remains of Akabarabadi Masjid, might affect the redevelopment plan for Jama Masjid area, officials of North Municipal Corporation said.

The redevelopment was planned after orders from the Delhi High Court.Officials working on the project said implementation will have to wait till the controversy of the disputed site is settled.

They said even the slightest change can lead to the collapse of the entire plan.“It took us five years to reach this stage — where the redevelopment design is ready. If there is a status quo on the controversal site, we will need to revisit the plan,” an official working on the project said.

The corporation is now waiting for the next court hearing on the demolition of the structure.“There is only one way forward in the matter — the illegal structure will be demolished and ASI will take over the charge of the land. The redevelopment of Shahjahanabad can take place only after ASI submits its report. Even then we have to see whether ASI’s report will affect our original plan,” P K Gupta, Commissioner North corporation, said.

The illegal structure has been constructed at the entry point of route leading to Jama Masjid.The construction came up near Kasturba Hospital road, leading to Urdu Bazar. Corporation had planned Subhash Park bus stand at the spot.