The Srinagar administration is gearing up for a massive road redevelopment project under which nearly 400 km of road length spread across the district will re-developed.
This was informed in ameeting convened here Saturday under the chairmanship of Deputy CommissionerSrinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, who is also Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Srinagar Smart City Limited. The project is being taken up under the SrinagarSmart City project.
The Roads & BuildingsDepartment which is contributing over 50 percent funding towards the projecthas completed several Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and is in the process ofcompleting others.
Theproject is being taken up after an extensive road audit exercise was carriedout last year. The findings have guided the DPRs that have been prepared aspart of the project.
The project not onlyinclude resurfacing of roads but a host of other related aspects ranging fromshifting of utilities and widening of roads wherever required to solutions todrainage concerns to installation of road furniture and traffic and othersignages and markings. It also includes a component of footpath redevelopmentwhere required.
Several departments areinvolved in the project and have submitted their recommendations and plans, theaim being to ensure that the project is well-planned and futuristic and coversall aspects to provide long term solutions to roads woes in the district.
The departments concernedhave also been asked to explore underground ducting of utilities whereverpossible. This will include power infrastructure where possible.
The project is in tenderingstage and work is expected to be started soon. The R&B has been asked tocoordinate with the Traffic department to come up with a well-thought-our planwhich ensures no hurdles are faced as far as traffic movement is concerned.
Choudhary while speaking onthe occasion said the project is an extremely important considering thecondition of roads and repeated problems faced by the people. He said the aimof the project was to find permanent solutions to roads woes of the district.
Hesaid the manpower involved in the work on the ground will be equipped with allrequisites as far as precautions in view of the prevailing health situation areconcerned, adding the R&B department is being provided all requisiteprotective gear and items for each official and worker who will be involved inthe work.
Chief Engineer R&B,Kashmir Sami Arif and senior officers from all departments concerned attendedthe meeting. Chief Planning Officer, M Yaseen Lone, who is also Joint DirectorPlanning, Srinagar was also present.