Amid the reports that temple work at Ayodhya will be completed by the end of 2023 and the massive structure will be thrown open for the Hindu devotees in January 2024, the construction of a mosque-cum-cultural centre almost 30 kilometers away from the actual site of the Babri masjid hits a roadblock due to various reasons better known to the official concerned.
The Sunni Central Wakf Board has reportedly conferred the job of construction of a Mosque-cum-Cultural Centre to Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation who is still in the process of getting approval of the sketch of a proposed multi-purpose structure.
Land to the extent of five acres has been allotted to Sunni Central Wakf Board at Dhannipur village – almost 30 kilometers away from the actual site of the Babri Masjid, for the construction of Mosque-cum-Cultural Centre. Upon receiving the job, it is said that the Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation has planned to build a hospital, a community kitchen, library and a research institute besides a mosque on the land.
Although the work of Mosque-cum-Cultural Centre was proposed to be completed by the end of next year, no rudimentary work has been grounded so far due to various reasons.
According to the Secretary, Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation Athar Hussain, “The Ayodhya Development Authority will release the sketch of the proposed mosque, hospital, a community kitchen, library and a research institute by the end of this month.”
Following the approval of the sketch, he said, the works of the mosque and other facilities will be commenced at the proposed site. The construction of the mosque hopefully will be completed by the end of the year 2023 keeping the other works continued.
He also said that the Department of Fire Safety has raised objections over the narrow lane heading towards the proposed mosque in Dhannipur village. The same was apprised to the district administration who in turn has completed the task of road widening. However, the land proposed to be taken for road widening was registered as agricultural land in the records.
“No works could be taken up without completing the due procedure of the land conversion. It is against this background the Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation made a plea to the concerned department for the land conversion. We are hopeful that the district administration will complete the process and will approve the proposed plan by the end of this month,” he explained.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered bhumi puja for the construction of a massive Ram Mandir in the month of August 2020. Though half of the temple works have already been done, the remaining will be completed by the end of 2023 before the structure was thrown open for the devotees in the month of January 2024.
