Srinagar: The long-awaited 140-km Srinagar sewerage project has finally seen a glimmer of hope as work has resumed after a 15-year delay, during which it missed several deadlines.
The project, worth Rs 155 crore, was awarded to the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) by the State government in 2008.
Initially, scheduled for completion within a five-year timeframe by 2013, the project encountered several obstacles, including a lackadaisical approach and inadequate supervision, leading to persistent delays.
The Sewerage Project in Zone-III of Srinagar was sanctioned under the Urban Renewal Mission scheme, involving essential tasks like realigning PHE pipes at Alamgari Bazazr, relocating 16 shops at the 90-feet Road at Soura, and implementing measures for relocating inline and outfall pump stations.
Permissions for road cuts at various locations were also obtained for executing house connections. The project's primary objective was to establish an extensive sewerage network across the old city, benefiting 48,220 households.
Furthermore, the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Noorbagh was designed to have an impressive capacity of 60 MLD.
Despite the passage of 15 years since the original deadline, the drainage system remains incomplete, continuing to cause significant inconvenience to the residents of Srinagar.
Chief Engineer of the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED), Naseer Kakroo told Greater Kashmir that work on the Noorbagh-Qamarwari stretch had recently resumed after facing interruptions in sewerage works across various areas of Srinagar.
He said that the company had previously suspended work due to slow progress and payment issues but asserted that these matters had now been successfully resolved.
“Covering the third zone of Srinagar, which includes vital areas like Lal Bazaar, 90-feet Road, Buchpora, and Soura, the sewerage project is dedicated solely to sewerage management and is not associated with storm water drainage,” he said.
Kakroo said that the project was solely dedicated to sewerage management and was not related to storm water drainage, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).
The delays to the project have caused frustration for the residents of Srinagar.
The lack of a functional drainage system has led to flooding and sewage overflow in many areas of Srinagar.
