Dr Darakhshan Andrabi sets deadline for completion of Jammu’s grand mosque project at Talab Khatikan

• Long-delayed Talab Khatikan Masjid project revived as Waqf Board starts work

Jammu, Apr 16: The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board has formally commenced construction work on the long-pending Jamia Masjid project at Talab Khatikan in Jammu, marking a significant step towards the completion of one of the city’s important religious landmarks.

Chairperson of the Waqf Board, Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, visited the construction site  and reviewed the arrangements for the execution of the project. During her visit, she issued clear directions to the concerned engineering wing and officials to ensure that the mosque is completed within the stipulated time frame and that the quality of work is maintained at every stage.

The Talab Khatikan Jamia Masjid is regarded as one of the major mosques of Jammu, but its construction had remained incomplete for several years. According to the Waqf Board, the delay was caused by prolonged mismanagement and lack of proper execution, which prevented the project from reaching completion despite its importance for the local Muslim community and the city as a whole.

With the Board now taking direct responsibility for the project, work officially began during the Chairperson’s site visit. Dr Andrabi said the Board had decided to focus its energy on completing the mosque rather than spending time revisiting past irregularities and administrative failures that had stalled the project for years.

She said the Waqf Board was committed to carrying forward the work in a time-bound and efficient manner, in line with its approach to completing other pending religious and public welfare projects in recent years. Dr Andrabi stated that she had personally finalised the plan for the project and had instructed the engineering team to ensure that the construction proceeds without unnecessary delay and with full adherence to required standards.

During the visit, the Waqf Chairperson also interacted with prominent members of the locality and sought their cooperation and support for the smooth completion of the mosque. Members of civil society and local residents expressed gratitude to Dr Andrabi for taking the initiative to restart and oversee the work. They voiced hope that under the direct supervision of the Waqf Board, the long-delayed project would now finally be completed.

Dr Andrabi was accompanied during the visit by Waqf Board Administrator Aabid Hussain and members of the Board’s engineering team, who reviewed the technical aspects of the work and discussed the timeline for construction.

The beginning of construction at Talab Khatikan has generated fresh optimism among local residents, who have long awaited the completion of the grand mosque. The development is being seen as an important move towards fulfilling a long-pending religious and community need in Jammu city.