Central Vista Redevelopment Casts Shadow Over Century-Old Mosque Despite Court Assurances
The ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project in New Delhi has once again raised concerns about the preservation of historical religious structures, with the fate of the over 100-year-old Qadeemi Masjid in Krishi Bhawan now hanging in the balance. Despite previous government assurances to the Delhi High Court that mosques in the area would not be affected, recent tender documents suggest otherwise.
Missing from Blueprints: Mosque Absent in New Building Plans
Last month, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) floated a tender for the construction of Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings 4 and 5 at the sites of Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan. While the mosque is not listed among structures to be removed, detailed architectural drawings accompanying the tender conspicuously omit the Qadeemi Masjid from its current location in the proposed new building layout.
The mosque, primarily used by Central government employees for daily prayers according to its imam, features a dedicated women's prayer space in its basement. During a recent visit, approximately 30-40 worshippers were observed offering prayers around lunchtime, highlighting its active religious function.
Legal History: From Court Assurances to Current Uncertainty
This development follows a significant legal history. In 2021, the Delhi Waqf Board petitioned the High Court seeking protection for six Waqf properties potentially affected by the Central Vista project, including the Krishi Bhawan mosque. During hearings, government representatives provided assurances that no action was imminent regarding these religious structures.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated clearly on December 1, 2021: "Nothing is happening to these properties. We are before your lordships. It (the project) is a very long plan and we have not reached anywhere near it."
The court eventually dismissed the petition in July 2024, noting the Waqf Board could approach again if any threat materialized. However, with the Waqf Board's term ending in 2023 and no reconstitution since, institutional oversight has diminished.
Historical Significance and Legal Status
The Qadeemi Masjid presents a complex case of historical preservation versus urban redevelopment:
- The mosque is documented in the Delhi Administration's 1970 gazette as Waqf property
- It predates the existing government building, according to Waqf Board claims
- While not a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, its century-old existence gives it historical significance
- The Waqf Board's petition emphasized the structure's operational status and good condition
Broader Context: Religious Structures in Central Vista Redevelopment
This is not the first instance of religious structure removal during the Central Vista project. A mosque and temple previously located at 6, Maulana Azad Road, the erstwhile Vice-President's residence, were removed as part of the redevelopment.
The current CCS 4 and 5 project represents a significant phase of the larger Central Vista plan:
- Estimated cost: Rs 3,006.07 crore
- Construction timeline: 24 months
- Total area: 3.04 lakh square meters across seven floors each
- Bid submission deadline: February 13
The work will proceed after dismantling existing buildings on Plot No. 120, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, according to bid documents.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Official Silence
Amanatullah Khan, former Delhi Waqf Board chairman during the High Court hearings, expressed concern: "The government had said in court that the mosques would not be affected. If they are now going to demolish it, it is wrong."
Notably, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), under which CPWD operates, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the mosque's omission from plans. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also did not respond when approached for clarification.
As the Central Vista project progresses toward creating 10 Common Central Secretariat buildings, with three already constructed and others in various stages, the tension between urban modernization and heritage preservation continues to unfold. The case of Qadeemi Masjid serves as a critical test of how historical religious structures will fare in India's most significant government infrastructure project in decades.
