Mir Iqbal
PULWAMA, Dec 13: The second largest Sarai of 17th century on historic Mughal road is lying in ruins and has been left on the mercy of encroachers due to official negligence.
Built by Mughal emperor Jehangir, the Sarai at village Shadimarg in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district is the second largest after Aliabad Sarai among all the four magnificent Sarais.
“The Sarai once known for its grandeur has been forgotten by the concerned authorities and simultaneously encroached by land mafia,” Altaf Ahmad, a local told Excelsior.
Spreading over more than 5 acres of land, the Sarai has shrunken to 2-3 Kanals only over the years and a major part of the building stands converted into cow sheds and store rooms by locals of the village.
Ahmad also said the main structure of this inn has been encroached by some influential persons, who even constructed huge houses inside the old walls of the Sarai.
Some locals also alleged that there was a nexus between officials and some influential persons, who had grabbed most of the land and succeeded in selling it to neighbouring village residents without any fear.
Moreover, locals also said that the Sarai has become a dumping ground as most of the garbage and sewage finds its way into these unprotected and unpreserved inns.
Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Pulwama Shah Faesal said the Sarai has different jurisdiction for revenue and development, adding that its revenue records are in Pulwama district and developmental part was associated with Shopian district. “It was the duty of Tourism Department to bring the Shadimarg Sarai on tourism map and take care of its preservation”, he said.
He further said:”Our attempts would go in vain if the Tourism Department does not develop the infrastructure needed to bring the Sarais on their map, as Mafia are working during night hours to build their structures there.”
Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Bashir Ahmad Bhat said: “Let me confirm the jurisdiction of the Sarai first whether it falls under Shopian or Pulwama district, then I can say about the Sarai.” He also said it was his moral duty to save a precious historical place and for that he would take action against any wrong doing about the place.
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