Srinagar, June 28: The improper repair work at historic Masjids and shrines may not only vandalize their heritage but is feared to trigger fire at the revered landmarks in this City in the Himalayas where 200-year-old shrine of Dastgeer Sahib(RA) was reduced to cinder earlier this week.
In the name of development, over the years, government has taken up several repairs and renovations at these religious places, but more often without requisite consultation of experts.
Call it half-hearted measures or improper facelift, but these allegedly haphazard developments have made the shrines more vulnerable to fire than before.

LATEST, BIGGEST RISK
While examples of callousness at the hands of government vis-à-vis the Waqf Board, which earns millions from these shrines, are many, the latest and biggest, seems to be the ongoing repairs at the majestic shrine of Shah-e-Hamdan (RA) on the Jhelum banks in Shaher-e-Khaas.

RISK TO SHAH-E-HAMDAN(RA) SHRINE
The shrine of 14th century saint, Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA), who came to Kashmir from Hamdan in central Asia, is getting facelift in the form of traditional Khatambandh, on the top floor ceiling.
Sources said the government plans to spend over Rs two million on the facelift. But in doing so, the wooden structure made of prized deodar, is turning more vulnerable to fire because the electric wiring for the ceiling illumination would be concealed behind the Khatambandh.
Insiders said the government plans to pin several chandeliers and other illuminations through a concealed wiring scheduled to run in the rare of the ongoing woodwork.

THE RISKY CONCEALING
Concealing the electric wiring in conduit, as per experts, can make the shrine more susceptible to fire due to short-circuit.
Explaining their point experts said in case of any short-circuit, the accident would go unnoticed till it appears in flames, which can go beyond control.
Expressing his concern prominent cleric, Khurshid Ahmed Kanungo said government should take up shrine works seriously in a planned manner than a “hasty decision.”
Sources said the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon and the District Development Commissioner, Baseer Ahmed Khan have been apprized about the fear factor.

EVOLUTION OF RISK
Elsewhere as well, the risk of fire seems to be evolving strongly with each passing day. At the shine of Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoom (RA) on the foothills of Koh-e-Maran, this evolution of vulnerability looks a continuous process much like the frequent repairs undertaken there.
Sources in the Waqf Board said the repairs in the form of expansion of facilities for devotees takes place frequently but without proper planning.
“At times concrete repairs are made. At times electrical wiring is expanded and at times water supply lines are augmented. But all this happens in such a mess that water supply lines may someday clash with electric wiring to trigger a disaster,” said a Waqf Board insider requesting not to be named.

BEHIND JAMIA MASJID LIGHTS
There are scores of revered landmarks in Srinagar while INTACH, a prominent organization into heritage conservation, has listed at least 22 of them. Historic Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta in the old City is one of them.
Though for the improvement in illumination, several new high voltage lamps have been pinned in the Masjid, experts fear a possibility of short circuit, which may go unnoticed in the maze of tall Deodar pillars hosting the electrification.

THE CHAOTIC MANAGEMENT
Except for proper management of shrine affairs including safety standards and facelift in keeping with the heritage, the government vis-à-vis the Waqf Board seems to have done everything, particularly the collection of charity in cash and kind worth millions of dollars.  
But in doing so the government in general and Waqf Board in particular have seemingly failed to look at the pros and cons of undertaking any repairs, renovation or other kinds of work often hyped as facelift.
Most such developments, particularly haphazard electrification, has brought more of fears than hope for conservation of the revered landmarks, which not only represent priceless heritage of global prominence but links to faith, which people of Kashmir have upheld for ages! (To be concluded)

Lastupdate on : Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST