Srinagar, Aug 18: Expressing concern over the slow pace of work on the re-construction of historic Khankahi Moula, Chrar-e-Sharief, which was gutted in May 1994, the Minister for Finance & Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather today called for coordinated efforts by the J&K Wakf Board, JKPCC and J&K Housing and Urban Development Department to ensure speedy completion of the Rs 26 crore prestigious Khankah Complex.
 Speaking at a joint meeting of the officers and engineers of J&K Wakf Board, JKPCC, ERA, Chrar-e-Sharief Development Project and Public representatives of Chrar-e-Sharief here today, Rather urged for finalizing design drawings for laying the main tomb on the upcoming Khankah, which should be a marvel of specialized artistic work adding that interior drawing works like wood paneling and paper machine should also be started so that the entire project was completed without any further delay.
 He also urged for completing construction of Hamam before the onset of winter for convenience of the devotees visiting the Shrine of revered Sufi Saint, Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (RA) round the year.
 Rather also called for close monitoring on the ongoing development works in and around the shrine complex adding that site engineers should ensure use of standard construction material as per the approved specifications. He assured that availability of funds shall not be any problem in the speedy completion, of the Khankah.
 It was informed that out of estimated cost of Rs 26 crore, Rs 13 crore has been spend so far on the three storeyed Khankah complex including Prayer Hall exclusive for women in the ground floor. The Khankah shall have a capacity to accommodate 15000 people to offer prayers at a time.
 While urging to keep surroundings of the Shrine complex neat and clean, Rather directed for construction of about 100 additional latrine blocks points immediately for providing adequate facilities for ablution to the devotees in view of the ensuring religious festivals like Shab-e-Qadr.
 He called for exploring possibilities for construction of under ground toilet blocks near the Shrine complex as a long term measure.
 Rather also took stock of pace of work on Srinagar–Chadoora – Chrar-e-Sharief road project and was assured by the concerned engineers that the new Bridge at Wathora shall be thrown open for traffic in November.
 The Minister asked the engineers of R&B to remove encroachments if any coming in the way of road widening adding that Ribbon Development Act needs to be implemented in the larger interests of the general people.
 He also directed for speedy construction of Kakawring bridge in between Nagam to Chrar-e-Sharief road and was assured that work on the bridge shall be started from the month of September. He also directed the concerned officers to start work on the construction of mini-secretariat complex at Chrar-e-Sharief immediately. Vice-Chairman J&K Wakf Board, Prof. M.Y. Qadri, District Development Commissioner, Budgam, Mohammad Rafi, Chief Engineer, ERA Khalid Muzaffar, Chief Architect,Muneer Ahmad, Dy. General Manager, JKPCC, Omer Farooq, Structural Engineer, Abdul Rub, Project Officer, Chrar-e-Sharief, Aftab Pandit, Tehsildar Chrar-e-Sharief, and public representatives of Chrar-e-Sharief were present in the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST