PONDA: Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar on Saturday said the government is committed to protect the historic Safa Masjid at Shapur, Ponda.
Kavlekar and Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude inspected the collapsed portion of the masjid tank’s retaining wall in the presence of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials, Safa Masjid president Murtuza Mulla and the committee members.
Addressing media persons after the inspection, Kavlekar said, “The wall collapsed due to heavy rain and work has commenced to prevent it from further damage. After rains recede, further maintenance will be carried out.”
“Safa Masjid comes under the ASI and their officials have started the repair work. Though ASI looks after monuments, as precautionary measure to preserve and protect them, the Government has formed a coordination committee to look after historic monuments under chairmanship of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Muslims brothers are emotionally attached to it and history needs to be preserved for posterity,” he added.
Minister Gaude said, “The State government will put in efforts to restore the tank’s retaining wall at the earliest. The Safa Masjid is famous in India and across the world and it is our duty to protect it. The masjid committee members have been demanding a parking space. Similarly the entrance gate needs to be widened for better access during emergencies.”
“Similarly, the members have also been demanding that the flyover extension work along the NH be continued to ensure safe movement of the people in the area. The demand will be placed before NH officials and ASI as they are the decision making bodies,” he added.
