Srinagar: Concerned over the frequent traffic jams, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday engaged a national expert agency to formulate a holistic and integrated survey for mass transport infrastructure including roads and flyovers.
Addressing a function after inaugurating the left track of flyover on Srinagar bypass at Hyderpora Chowk on Srinagar-Airport road, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, ”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 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.
”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 as far as transportation and good road network is concerned which had lost focus in the past.
The Chief Minister said, ”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.”
Abdullah said 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 Chief Minister asked the Roads and Buildings (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 said the inaugurated track of 9 metre width would give great relief to the people and heavy vehicles could ply smoothly.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for R&B, Javid Ahmad Dar highlighted the efforts of the Chief Minister for channelising huge funds from the Centre for the development of roads and bridges in the state.
He said the vision of the Chief Minister 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 the Chief Minister has earmarked Rs 135 crore under projectization this year.
As many as 950 km of roads have been improved and upgraded in the state during last four months which also include 242 km roads of Srinagar city.
He said six major bridges have been sanctioned by the Centre under CRF each involving over Rs 12 crores. He said the state is to receive Rs 300 crore under PMGSY this year.
In his welcome speech, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam 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.
The total cost of the bypass is Rs 212 crore and it forms a component of the four-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 four-laning of road has been already completed at a cost of about Rs 123 crore.
The construction of bridges and flyover involves an expenditure of Rs 84 crore, of which, Rs 62.50 crore have been incurred so far. (UNI)