450-year-old tomb stops Rlys in its track

The proposed third railway track along Maninagar railway station may not be ready anytime soon. For, work on the project has been stalled by a 450-year-old Dawoodi Bohra tomb. The bone of contention is the demand of the Dawoodi Bohra community that the Railways ensure direct vehicular access to the tomb once the track is ready. As of now, there is a partially constructed subway/walkway at the site.

At present, just 62 of the average 120 trains get stoppage at Maninagar railway station because of heavy traffic. As a result, there are instances of people jumping off the train at the station. Two people have died in as many months this year for the same reason. The said tomb—Mazar of Maulaya Firoz Saheb—is owned by the Waqf Board and is located adjoining the Khokhra flyover.

The proposed railway track is expected to run through the middle of the tomb’s compound and divide the property, thus also cutting off access to the tomb from the road. For this, the Railways is constructing a subway/ walkway that will begin at the road access, go beneath the railway track and open at the tomb.

While the community members say they have no problem with the track, they want pilgrims to have better access to the tomb. They have demanded vehicular access directly from the road to the tomb. However, the Railways is reluctant to provide the same. They have even approached the Waqf Tribunal for the same. Work on the track has currently been halted as the matter is sub-judice. The hearing is on April 4.

It’s not just about access

Mirror talked to Husen Sukhsarwala, one of the leaders of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Ahmedabad in charge of the tomb’s affairs. Asked to elaborate on why the community has gone to court, Sukhsarwala said, “We had multiple meetings with the railways officials and apprised them of our requirement for vehicular access, a concrete plan with details on who would be responsible in case of accidents and confirmation that no other tracks would be built through the compound in future.”

Sources in the Railways told Mirror that Dinesh Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Ahmedabad division, had himself taken up the matter on priority after junior officials had initiated action without discussions with the Bohra community. Sources in the Railways said that the community’s demand seems unreasonable as there was no direct vehicular access to the tomb even earlier.

‘Third track is needed’

It is highly pertinent for the railways to complete construction of this track. Work is currently underway at other sections near Maninagar railway station as well. With only 62 daily trains on an average getting stoppages at Maninagar due to heavy traffic and the need to maintain train schedules, senior officials said that while they were presenting their case in court, backdoor negotiation channels had also been opened to solve the matter out of court.

While DRM Dinesh Kumar refused to comment on the problems faced by the Railways, other senior officials said “We are currently trying to solve the problem amicably and as soon as possible so that the track can be laid.”

Sukhsarwala, when apprised of the importance of the tracks in relation with deaths at Maninagar railway station, said, “We don’t want to halt the progress of development and we support the project. But we also need the access. It is a Waqf property and decisions cannot be taken unilaterally as has unfortunately happened.” He added that the case was filed in October 2018 and the court had granted interim relief to the community in the matter.

Relocation not viable

Asked if relocating the tomb was a viable option, Sukhsarwala said, “No, it is not possible since the saint is buried there. A mosque can be relocated, that is not possible with the remains of a saint.”

Myth of the tomb

Husen Sukhsarwala said, “There is a legend in the community that Maulaya Firoz Sahab’s tomb, although always revered, gained prominence after railway tracks put up by the British government kept getting uprooted every night.”