This project could not be completed by two successive elected governments in Jammu and Kashmir.
The grade separator (small flyover) near TRC Grounds, here was first envisioned during the NC-Congress regime in 2009. In 2015 late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, then Chief Minister heading PDP-BJP government laid its foundation. However, though the PDP-BJP alliance has fallen apart, the project is yet to be completed.
A senior government official said Governor NN Vohra during a recent review meeting was “upset with the sluggish progress of the work on various development projects in Kashmir particularly in Srinagar including the grade separator and the Rambagh flyover.”
“Once completed, the two-lane grade separator will function in one direction from Sonwar to Lal Chowk, with one limb for MA Road-bound traffic,” the official said.
The project was scheduled to be completed by December 2016 at a cost of Rs 17.85 crore.
Director JKERA, Showkat Ahmad said there were various reasons that caused the delay in the completion of the project.
“In 2016 situation was not conducive which wasted peak construction season; then in 2017 incidents of braid chopping created fear psychosis among outside labourers and majority of those skilled labourers fled the Valley.”
“Now, we have set a deadline that by the end of this year, the grade separator will be thrown open for the public,” he said.
The director JKERA said there was no cost escalation in the project “as the rates have been finalized with the contractor firm for the completion of the construction.”
This project is the part of ADB loan II, tranche 3, Rs 41.83 crore project, which also envisages construction of New Mehjoor bridge at Jawahar Nagar, the foundation stone of which was laid by the former Chief Minister a couple of months ago.