Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, June 26: The construction of a crucial flyover at Bemina junction along the Srinagar Expressway bypass on NH-44 has entered its final stage, with officials expecting completion by the end of June.
According to the Roads and Buildings Department, the work on the flyover is nearly complete, with final touches being applied to this significant infrastructure project. Once completed, the flyover will streamline traffic entering Srinagar city at this critical junction.
The Bemina flyover is being constructed at a cost of Rs 37 crores, with a total length of 1 kilometer and a four-lane width. “The construction is in its final stage. In the next two days, we will conduct the trial run and open it for vehicular movement on June 29,” said Sajad Ahmad Naqeeb, Chief Engineer of the Roads and Buildings Department for Srinagar.
He emphasized the significance of the junction, noting that it leads to Budgam, with Tengpora on the left and National Highway 1 on the right, which is used by people from Baramulla and Sumbal. “This is a very important junction, and the traffic on NH44 will also be eased by this flyover. Only the work on crash barriers and road furniture remains, which will be completed in the next two days,” he said.
Regarding the Sanat Nagar flyover, Naqeeb explained: “The Sanat Nagar flyover is being constructed at a cost of Rs 45 crores and will be completed by December. The piling is complete, and the piers are done. The casting of girders will also be completed soon,” he said.
The Nowgam flyover, also 1 kilometer in length and costing Rs 45 crores, is expected to be ready by mid-July. “On the approach towards Sanat Nagar, we are working on crash barriers and blacktopping. On the Lasjan side, earth filling and metaling are being done, along with the installation of crash barriers,” Naqeeb said.
He highlighted the significance of all three flyovers, noting their location on NH44, which runs from Kanyakumari to Parimpora, where NH1 starts. “These flyovers are crucial as they handle both national highway and local traffic. The Nowgam junction, for example, connects to Pulwama. In Sanat Nagar, we manage national highway traffic, including defense vehicles and local traffic,” Naqeeb said.
The Chief Engineer acknowledged a slight delay in completion due to utility shifting. “The main water supply would have been affected if we had deployed more shutdowns, and being an urban center, we have to minimize water and power shutdowns, which caused the delay,” he added.
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