SRINAGAR, June 26: The state government has expressed plans to appoint a committee of experts to conduct a fire safety audit of major heritage shrines of the valley in the backdrop of a major blaze which gutted the centuries-old Dastageer Sahib Shrine in Srinagar.
“A fire safety audit of all major heritage shrines of Kashmir would be done by a committee of experts very soon,” an official spokesman said.
Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir province, Asgar Samoon, who was appointed inquiry officer into the fire incident Monday evening convened a high-level meeting with senior officers and discussed in detail the measures to be taken for restoration of the Shrine, the spokesperson said.
He said it was suggested that a committee of experts will prepare a comprehensive reconstruction plan for the Shrine within two weeks.
“The Divisional Commissioner assured the Muslim Auquaf Trust of all support required for restoring the shrine to its pristine glory by reconstructing it as per original architecture,” the spokesperson said.
“The services of Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) would also be utilised, as the organisation has already documented and digitalised intricate details of the shrine in the year 2010.”
The government, the spokesperson said, was working towards facilitating regular prayers immediately.