Srinagar, Aug 27: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday said that a comprehensive transport plan to address the growing pressure of traffic on Srinagar and Jammu roads is in offing.
 “A national reputed expert agency Rail India Techno Economic Survey Limited (RITES) has been entrusted the stupendous task of formulating a holistic and integrated survey report for mass transport infrastructure including roads, flyovers, bus terminals, separate tracks for light and heavy vehicles, bicycle tracks and feasibility of metro in the duo capitals of the State”, he said adding that the agency is likely to give its report by the end of this year.
 “The haphazard constructions and unplanned development has badly told upon the transportation and traffic ply in the cities. We have to deal with this problem scientifically and work out strategy to gradually blunt its bad impact”, he said adding that the Government contemplates to bring the two cities of Srinagar and Jammu at par with other metros in the country so far as transportation and good road network is concerned which had lost focus in the past.
 Addressing a function after inaugurating the left track of flyover on Srinagar Bypass at Hyderpora Chowk here, the CM said that fast tracking work on various road projects and other development programmes has been the dividend of peace prevailing in the State during the current season.
 Omar Abdullah said that massive road construction programme has been launched across the State with special focus on the development and upgradation of roads in Srinagar, Jammu and other towns. “Almost entire Srinagar city has been covered under macadamization programme this year which would continue during the next couple of months offering favourable season for laying of macadam”, he said.
 The CM asked the R&B Department to formulate a proposal for installing sound and view proof screens on the sides of the flyover to protect the privacy of neighbouring households and also give them relief from noise pollution. He directed for conducting survey of the damages caused to the households due to the construction of flyover so that they are paid the compensation.
 Emphasizing on timeline completion of right track of the flyover by May 2012, the CM said that after the offices return from Jammu in the May next, the second part of the flyover should be ready for inauguration. He said the inaugurated track of 9 metre width would give great relief to the people and smooth the ply of heavy vehicles on the road.
 Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for R&B, Javid Ahmad Dar highlighted the efforts of the CM for channelizing huge funds from the Central Government for the development of roads and bridges in the State.
 He said that the vision of the CM for creating useful system of projectization to meet the financial needs of big projects has given new impetus to the pace of development. He said that the CM earmarked Rs. 135 crore under projectization this year. He said as many as 950 kilometres of roads have been improved and upgraded in the State during last 4 months which also include 242 kilometre roads of Srinagar city.
 The Minister said that the CM has got 6 major bridges sanctioned from the Centre under CRF each involving over Rs. 12 crores. He said the efforts of Omar Abdullah have also helped the State to receive Rs. 300 crores under PMGSY this year.
 In his welcome speech, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani who is also the MLA of the area expressed gratitude to the CM for inaugurating the flyover. Nasir Wani advocated for payment of compensation to the households whose houses have been damaged due to the construction of flyover. He also referred to various development works requiring focused attention in his constituency.
 Legislators Dr Mustafa Kamal, G Q Pardesi, Dharam Veer Singh Oberoi, Principal Secretary R&B, KB Agarwal, Chief Engineer, R&B, Kashmir, Nazir Ahmad, officers and functionaries of R&B Department besides prominent citizens were present on the occasion. 
 The Hyderpora flyover estimated to cost Rs. 33.84 crores is a part of 4-laning of 17.80 kilometre National Highway Bypass Srinagar taking off at Athwajan and terminating at Parimpora. The road project also envisages construction of 4 bridges at Lasjan, Padshahibagh, Chanapora and Tengpora.
 The Padshahibagh Bridge has been completed and opened to traffic while the Lasjan Bridge is likely to be completed by September this year and other two bridges in May 2012.
 The total cost of the Bypass is Rs. 212 crore and it forms a component of the 4-laning of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway project being implemented by the National Highway Authority of India. The R&B Department, Kashmir is the Executing Agency of the Srinagar Bypass. An amount of Rs. 188 crores have been incurred on the project. The construction of 4-laning of road has been already completed at a cost of about Rs. 123 crores. The construction of bridges and flyover is involving an expenditure of Rs. 84 crores, of which, Rs. 62.50 crores have been incurred so far.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST