The historic 85-year-old Jahangir Khan Mosque, located in front of Ira Mall on Delhi Road, was dismantled on Friday night by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) with police and administrative supervision. This step was taken after a mutual agreement, paving the way for road construction in the area.
Mosque Vacated Before Removal
Earlier in the day, members of the Muslim community vacated the mosque, removing its doors and frames. However, they later met with the ADM City and expressed their unwillingness to carry out the mosque’s removal themselves, requesting that the administration handle the process. A delegation from the community is scheduled to meet with the ADM City on Saturday to discuss the allocation of an alternative space for the mosque.
Rapid Rail Project Faces Obstruction
The ongoing underground work for the Rapid Rail project near Jagdish Mandap had been facing delays due to the mosque’s location. NCRTC officials emphasized that the structure was hindering progress on road construction. To resolve the issue, administrative authorities engaged in discussions with mosque representatives, working toward an agreement.
Consensus Reached for Removal
On Thursday night, ADM City Brijesh Singh, along with NCRTC officials, met with Qari Jameel Ahmed—who has served at the mosque for 46 years—urging him to facilitate its removal. While the mosque was completely vacated as per ADM orders, the initial proposal of using laborers to dismantle it was declined by the Qari.
Removal Executed Under Official Supervision
On Friday, a delegation comprising Jameel Ahmed, Shalin, and Babar Ali met with ADM City, clearly stating that the community members would not personally demolish the mosque. At their request, the structure was ultimately removed post-midnight with the assistance of NCRTC staff, under police and administrative supervision.
Road Construction Begins
With the mosque cleared, preparations for road construction have commenced. During the discussions, Qari Jameel Ahmed reiterated that the mosque had stood for 85 years and shared his long-standing role in it. The administration is now expected to address the concerns regarding an alternative site for the mosque.