Construction on Sanat Nagar grade separator commences after 2-yr delay

By
Daily Excelsior
-

Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, July 6: Construction has finally commenced on the long-awaited Sanat Nagar grade separator junctions along the Srinagar Expressway Bypass on NH44, located on the outskirts of Srinagar.
After experiencing delays for the past two years, the project has obtained approval from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, allowing work to begin.
This approval had been pending despite being part of the same project as the other two grade separators at the Nowgan and Bemina junctions along the Srinagar expressway bypass on NH44, where construction is progressing swiftly.
To ease traffic congestion at critical intersections including Bemina, Sanat Nagar, and Nowgam, the NHAI proposed the construction of three 3.23-kilometer flyovers in Srinagar along NH-44, with an estimated cost of approximately Rs 100 crores in 2020.
While the Bemina and Nowgam flyovers are nearing completion, the Sanat Nagar flyover experienced a two-year delay before commencing. “Site preparation has begun, and the pace of work will accelerate once we reach a consensus on the design,” Chief Engineer of the Roads and Buildings Department, Rafiq Ahmad, told Excelsior.
He further explained that the project faced clearance delays due to the need for the relocation of major utilities. “Two primary electricity supply lines were obstructing the construction, causing the delay. We have now modified the flyover’s design and diverted one electricity line to facilitate its construction,” Ahmad added.
These projects were initially approved by the former Roads and Buildings Minister, Syed Altaf Bukhari, in 2018. However, they have encountered subsequent delays. Following the government’s approval of a Rs 574.16 crore yearly plan for national highway works in Jammu and Kashmir in 2020-21, the NHAI urged the central government to initiate the construction of these flyovers in 2020.
“Initially, the project was planned to be funded by the Asian Development Bank. However, it was later decided that the NHAI would oversee the project’s operations, while the central government would provide the financing,” an official said.

WhatsApp Icon Follow our WhatsApp channel