Pulwama, Jan 10 (KNO): The reconstruction of the revered shrine of Shahi-Hamdan, Hazrat Ameer-e-Kabeer, Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA) in Tral remains incomplete, even 27 years after a devastating fire incident in December 1997.
The historic shrine, known as Khankah-e-Faiz-Panah, was destroyed in a mysterious fire, following which the government announced its reconstruction with a target completion date of two years. However, more than two decades later, the shrine's restoration remains unfinished, which causes inconvenience to the large number of devotees who visit daily.
Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that despite repeated requests and assurances, the government has failed to complete the pending works.
Manzoor Ahmad, a local, said several critical works at the shrine remain incomplete without any clear explanation. "Hundreds of people visit the shrine every day, but they face significant inconvenience due to the pending construction work," he said.
Locals added that they had initially offered to rebuild the shrine themselves after the fire incident but were assured by the government that the reconstruction would be completed within two years. "They have failed to keep their promises," said another resident.
Despite raising the issue repeatedly with both the government and local political leaders, the shrine’s restoration remains in limbo. The people have now appealed for the intervention of higher authorities to ensure the work is completed at the earliest.
An official from the district administration told KNO that over 90 per cent of the work has already been completed. "The remaining work is pending due to certain issues, but we are actively taking up the matter with the concerned authorities. It will be completed soon," the official said.
Locals, however, remain sceptical and urge the government to expedite the remaining work to restore the shrine to its former glory—(KNO)