Srinagar : Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, AkshayLabrooTuesday visited Khankah-e-Naqshband Sahib (RA) at Khwaja Bazar, Nowhatta to review and finalize arrangements for the upcoming Urs.
He also conducted an on-site inspection of the ongoing renovation and upgradation works at the shrine being executed under the Heritage Preservation & Conservation Scheme of the Government.
During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, IAS Probationer, Alfred Thomas, Joint Commissioner SMC, Nuzhat Qureshi, Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Superintending Engineer, R&B, Circle North, Shabir Ahmad, Tehsildar Khanyar, Syed Shahid, Executive Engineers of R&B, PHE, PDD, Officers of Archives & Archaeology, Fire & Emergency and other concerned Departments.
On the occasion, the DC also held a joint interactive meeting with members of the Shrine Management and Officers of the District Administration present on the occasion. He took stock of the facilities and arrangements required for devotees expected to visit the shrine during the Urs and directed the concerned Officers to ensure that all necessary arrangements are put in place well in advance.
The DC emphasized coordinated efforts by all line department to ensure better facilities for the devotees during Urs days including uninterrupted power and water supply, sanitation measures, transportation parking facilities.
During the visit, the DC also inspected the progress of the ongoing revival, restoration and conservation works being carried out at the shrine under heritage conservation project.
On the occasion, the DC directed the concerned Officers to further accelerate the pace of work and ensure the time-bound completion of the project while maintaining the prescribed quality standards and adhering to the conservation nor He was informed that the project encompasses comprehensive structural conservation while retaining the original exterior character of the shrine, restoration of its traditional wooden architecture and intricate ornamentation, conservation of wooden elements on the exterior façade, besides installation of a traditional Khatamband ceiling with exquisite papier-mache work in the Central Hall.
The DC was further apprised that more than 65 percent of the conservation works have already been completed, while the remaining works are scheduled to be completed by the end of September this year.
Underscoring the immense heritage significance of the project, the DC said that the conservation initiative is aimed at preserving, restoring and safeguarding the original architectural character and aesthetic grandeur of the centuries-old spiritual shrine, which holds immense religious and historical significance.
