ASI files report on Jama Masjid damage

The Delhi circle of the ASI has submitted a report on the damage caused to one of the minarets of the 17th century Jama Masjid a few days ago, initiating the process for carrying out much-needed repairs on the heritage structure. Nivedita Khandekar reports.

The Delhi circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has submitted a report on the damage caused to one of the minarets of the 17th century Jama Masjid a few days ago, initiating the process for carrying out much-needed repairs on the heritage structure.

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A huge dome-shaped white marble piece of a minaret had fallen off at the northern entrance of the mosque. The piece was big enough to dent parts of the red sandstone stairs below. Though the incident occurred almost two weeks ago, neither the ASI nor the mosque authorities removed the broken piece.

Jama Masjid gets a large number of visitors, especially foreign tourists, every day apart from regular devotees. Although it is not an ASI protected monument, an arrangement put in place by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru assigned the ASI to take care of the conservation and preservation work for the main structure and the Centre's integrated finance department foots the bill.

"The report for the incident two week ago is complete and has been submitted to the headquarters," said an ASI official.