Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, May 5: The foundation stone on Rs 75 crore Bikram Chowk Flyover will be laid in last week of this month and Government will make all efforts to complete the project before the stipulated time of three years.
According to sources, the contract for construction Flyover was allotted in March this year and the excavation and dismantling work of old structures has already been started while the foundation stone of the project will be laid in the last week of this month.
The sources said the important task before the ERA is widening of corridor and construction of two under-paths near Polytechnic at Bikram Chowk and Women College in Gandhi Nagar and service road from Asia Hotel to Bikram Chowk.
Sources said the construction of service road before starting the work on piers of Flyover is must as Department did not want that any problem should be created in the free movement of traffic during the construction of Flyover.
The ERA will in the first instance take up in hand construction of service road on left side of Bikram Chowk and work on the same will start soon, sources said, adding the work on under paths will also be started within 20 to 25 days.
Sources said tough the Department has given three years time to the contractors for construction of Flyover but efforts will be made that the project is completed before the stipulated time.
Sources said the land acquisition and issues of compensation have already been solved and there is no such problem being faced by the Department which otherwise could have created hurdles in smooth construction of the work.
Sources said that the ERA has also finalized the proposal for the construction of second phase of Flyover to Satwari but due to paucity of funds its construction has been delayed for the time being. However the proposal has been discussed by the authorities with the Asian Development Bank (ABD) for funding also.
Meanwhile, to review the progress of the work on construction of Flyover the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ERA, Saurabh Bhagat convened a review meeting with Project Manager ERA, Design and supervision Consultants and concerned Contractors here today.
The meeting besides finalizing the work schedule for construction of 1.3 km four lane Bikram Chowk Flyover and 8 lane widening and strengthening of the road from Bikram Chowk to Convent School Gandhi Nagar also discussed the rehabilitation and channelization of exiting primary drains and construction of secondary drains in Channi Himmat for a length of 8 km with construction cost of 15 crore.
The CEO ERA also visited the site of Flyover along with the Project Manger ERA, Consultant, concerned contractor and other staff and took some important on spot decisions regarding the execution of work.
Mr Bhagat gave directions at the site regarding widening for road and construction of drains and utility duct be carried out in first instance and be completed within six months in the stretch of the road from Bikram Chowk to Asia Hotel so that minimum inconvenience is caused to the general public.
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