Cracks found in Jama Masjid dome need to be fixed , shahi imam seeks PM's help for urgent repair

The iconic Jama Masjid is in urgent need of repair, with parts of its external facade and internal structure crumbling, according to the custodians of the grand 361-year-old mosque in old Delhi.

The centrepiece of the heritage city of Shahjahanabad, the Masjid is being threatened by rampant water seepage, which has eroded the structural integrity of the main dome and peeled off layers of sandstone and plaster from its walls and intricate parapet carvings.

The Shahi Imam of the Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, says he had written a letter last year to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking help for the urgent repair of the structure, and made several appeals to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) telling them that the situation is fast becoming dire.

"I specifically told both the PM's office and the ASI that lack of maintenance was resulting in permanent damage. In particular, the main prayer chamber and three domes require instant restoration," Bukhari told



.

Comments from the PMO were not immediately available.

ASI spokesperson DM Dimri said the relaying of the mosque floor and a few other maintenance works were in the pipeline. However, he said the ASI was not aware of serious damage to domes and parapets.

"An estimate has been prepared for restoration of its flooring. The tendering process is going on, the ASI will soon start work at Jama Masjid. As the mosque is not an ASI-protected monument, the responsibility of its regular monitoring and maintenance is not with us," Dimri said.

 

The responsibility of the management and protection of the mosque lies with the Delhi Wakf Board. "We don't have enough funds to restore the mosque and always need external assistance for this project," said an official of the board who asked not to be named.

Bukhari said the last major renovation was carried out by the ASI around 10 years ago, when he had sent a similar request to the body.