Jama Masjid Redevelopment

May 10, 2023

Jama Masjid is one of the largest and grandest mosques in India, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656. However, due to its primary purpose as a place of worship, the mosque is not protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and has faced several structural issues over the years.

Why Jama Masjid Needs a Revamp

The mosque has faced structural problems due to its age and lack of protection under the ASI. The finial of the central dome was damaged in May 2020 following heavy rain and thunderstorms, while a slab of red sandstone from a minaret collapsed in June 2021, damaging the courtyard below. The presence of narrow approach roads, as well as shops and residential areas opposite the mosque’s main entrance, also pose problems for the structure.

Jama Masjid Redevelopment Plan

The redevelopment plan was first proposed in 2004, under the Sheila Dixit government. The Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) board decided to expedite the execution of the redevelopment plan in August 2019. The detailed project report (DPR) will be divided into two parts – one for the mosque’s precincts and one for the main monument precincts, and the redevelopment work will cover an area of 12.7 hectares. The PWD has invited fresh bids to prepare a DPR for the area surrounding the mosque, but it may take some years before the actual work on the basis of the DPR starts.

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