Srinagar, Jan 20: The authorities have completed preliminary survey for the construction of prestigious Jehangir Chowk-Natipora flyover –hinting a topsy-turvy of the previous plan –at-least on the demolition of structures on the Magharmal Bagh road coming in way of the mega project.
 While the previous plan drafted in 2005 sought lifting structures on the west side of the road, the new proposal hints the axe could fall on the eastern end, which houses government flats, decades old market, and newly constructed shopping complexes approved by the government.
 Sources said the change was being proposed by some officials only to benefit a “blue eyed” family, which has procured land on the west side of the road and wants to construct a huge mall there.
THE OLD, NEW PLAN 
 The Economic Reconstruction Agency has started preliminary work for the construction of flyover on the four odd kilometre track, of the Airport road.
 Sources said the ERA hired a Netherland based construction company to draft the plan.
 They said even though the state government had already drafted the plan in 2005, the company was asked to go for a fresh survey so that future work could be done accordingly.
 “The previous plan, drafted as per the Master Plan, is even visible to a lay man near the Magharmal Bagh crossing where  a stretch of the west end road up to the Jehangir Chowk has been widened to a six lane status,” said a senior official in the Housing and Urban Development Department, requesting not to be named.
 He said that time the widening of the road ahead, towards Ram Bagh couldn’t be taken up due to financial reservations.
 “But the west was marked feasible for the project as there are lesser number of structures on the side, that too the ones constructed illegally during the ‘90s,” he said.
 “The east was kept untouched as it houses old market, government flats and also Iqra Masjid,” he added.
 The new plan is opposite of the old and may cost more in relocation to the state exchequer. This has irked the locals and the traders, alike.
 “We started the business in ‘60s and now government wants us to be relocated instead of the new comers. This is illogical,” said a delegation of traders.
ERA SPEAKS
 An ERA official while confirming that eastern side could come under the flyover plan said the proposed draft was the result of an independent survey by a Nertherland based company and had “nothing to do with the previous surveys if any.”
 “This is just a preliminary exercise which is yet to be approved. They have just tried to identify the property coming way of the project,” he said.
 He, however,  admitted that the plan could cost more and even trigger local resentment from the stakeholders.
 “People too have their points. We will try our best to keep the project people friendly.”
 The Director, ERA, Kashmir, Vinod Sharma ruled out that “there were any pressures to change the plan.”
 “We’re coming up with the best plan where minimum property will be disturbed and what all is technically possible,” he said.
 Sharma said the ERA would hold a meeting with the complainants who fear the genuine interests would be hit.
THE PROJECT
 October, last year,  the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah approved the much awaited prestigious project.
 Laying stress on integrated approach, taking on board all the line departments, the Chief Minister called for fullest preparedness before launching the work.
 The proposed elevated express corridor from Jehangir Chowk to Natipora will involve an expenditure of Rs. 256 crores and is targeted to be completed within 35 months. The 4 lane divided carriage way elevated road from Jehangir Chowk to Natipora Chowk will integrate with existing flyover with proposed express way at Jehangir Chowk for left turn from Dalgate to Rambagh.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST