Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Jan 31: The administration is poised to initiate the tendering process for the approved construction of a Parimpora-Shalteng flyover in Srinagar, following the green signal from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Officials from the Road and Buildings Department, responsible for executing the project, confirmed that it has received approval under the Road Safety Programme, with an estimated cost of approximately Rs 125 crores.
According to the officials, the proposed flyover will span 2 kilometres and consist of four lanes, connecting Parimpora to Shalteng on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway.
The primary objective is to alleviate the persistent traffic snarls faced by daily commuters on this stretch. “The tendering process will commence in a month or half, and the timeline for completion will be determined thereafter,” Chief Engineer of the Roads and Buildings Department for Central Kashmir, Sajad Ahmad, said.
Highlighting the necessity of the flyover, Ahmad emphasised that the congested stretch connecting major roads with the city leads to frequent traffic jams. “With this flyover, the traffic movement will smoothen, and commuters will be relieved of traffic jams. It was much needed,” he added.
The Parimpora-Shalteng road holds strategic importance as it links Srinagar city with key areas such as Budgam, Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara besides Ladakh region. The project is anticipated to enhance overall transportation efficiency in Srinagar, benefiting both residents and businesses alike.
The flyover would be the fourth on the National Highway-44 Bypass in Srinagar. Currently, work is underway on three other flyovers at Bemina, Sanatnag, and Nowgam on Srinagar Bypass, which will ease traffic on the junction that used to witness daunting traffic snarls. The work on these flyovers is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
To alleviate traffic congestion at these crucial intersections, the National Highway Authority of India recommended the construction of three 3.23 km flyovers in Srinagar along NH-44, estimated to cost approximately Rs 100 crores in 2020.
Follow our WhatsApp channel