HYDERABAD, July 10: Repair and renovation work of the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, which started in 1994, still remain incomplete.

Besides, responsibility has not been fixed as to who is responsible for making structural changes in the main dome and using sub-standard material which led to defects and cost escalation. The case is being probed by the National Accountability Bureau.

“I agree that those responsible for delaying this important project should be exposed and held responsible,” said Sindh Auqaf Secretary Abid Ali Shah while talking to Dawn over phone.

He said that restoration of old RCC (reinforced cement concrete) structure of the dome was done after taking authorities of NAB and Anti-Corruption Establishment on board as they are seized of an inquiry related to the project.

Currently, old design and structure of RCC dome has been restored through a plan costing Rs315.685 million named ‘remedial measures for main shrine and dome structure,’ according to Chief Engineer of Highways, Jinsar Ali Shah, who is overseeing the work as project director.

Besides, as per desire of President Asif Ali Zardari, expansion work of the shrine is being taken in hand too for which around one and half acres of land was being acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, he said.

A boundary wall would be raised around the shrine for security reasons and shades would be built for devotees, he added.

“After the Urs, remaining works of the dome like fixing golden tiles which have nine per cent irrecoverable gold on the dome and Kashi tiles on outer walls will begin. Golden tiles are being imported from Dubai and Kashi tiles from Iran”, said Mr Jinsar Ali.

He conceded that the project had been delayed. “Everyone knows that the project has been delayed but I am concerned with remedial measures that seek to address critical issues of the shrine,” he said.

Old RCC structure of the dome had been restored following an advice by experts of NED University of Engineering and Technology whose opinion was sought by auqaf officials in view of defects in the dome’s steel structure.

Golden tiles on the dome and Kashi tiles on the walls had faded in the past. Dome had leakage of water as well. Around 285 tons of steel structure had to be dismantled in pieces before starting RCC work.

“Nespak and NCL – former consultants and contractors – had proposed another dome over the dome to address issue of leakage but it was not a solution. That was why we sought advice from NED experts who proposed that it will be better off if an RCC dome is built”, said the secretary.

The shrine’s renovation project was approved in 1994 after seven people died and several others were injured due to collapse of a portion of the dome.

Cost of phase-I of the project related to the shrine building was Rs221.476 million and work was awarded to NCL (National Constructions Limited). Initially it was supervised by Prime Minister’s Secretariat Monitoring Bureau. In November 1996 it was transferred to Sindh government.

For Dhamal court’s phase-II, a scheme was approved in December 2002 at a cost of Rs64.919 million which had to be revised at Rs92.235 million. An expenditure of Rs66.917 was claimed till June 2008.

Likewise, in phase-III Rs142.225 million were allocated for expenditures on eight different works to be executed in three years. “Technically phase-I and II remained incomplete. In fact work under both phases is replete with defects and that are being addressed now by us,” said Abid Shah.

As far as phase-III is concerned, he said, it pertains to expansion of the shrine and its cost is estimated at Rs1 billion.

As the project was marred by various defects, Senate’s Standing Committee on housing and works, then headed by Senator Dr Mohammad Ali Brohi had declared handing and taking over of project as null and void.

Defects pertained to leakage of water from the dome, quality of works done at main gate of the shrine and cracks in wooden and middle part of the gate, poor quality of Kashi tiles which don’t reflect Sindh’s culture and have faded away, etc.

The committee had called for removal of Kashi tiles used in elevation of the shrine and noted leakage of water from the dome. The committee wanted fresh gold plate works on the dome as earlier one had turned blackish due to use of sub-standard material. In November 2009, President Asif Ali Zardari called for removal of defects after he was given a briefing by officials concerned.

“The NCL had changed the actual architectural design of the dome with steel structure coupled with golden flapping on outer surface.

The tile work had faded,” said secretary. He said that the Auqaf department and other officials had told the president that only RCC structure of dome would be durable for years to come and then the president gave his consent.

“Escalation of cost is very much there as work on the project is underway since 1994,” he said.