Authorities on Saturday set December 2017 as the new deadline for the completion of much hyped Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover.

“Due to the destabilization caused by last year’s unrest in the valley, we missed the March 2017 deadline. But we are expecting the work to be over by December 2017,” Director ERA Kashmir, Satish Razdan told Kashmir Vision over phone.

“Soon after the agitation began, the skilled outstation workers fled Kashmir due to fear. But currently, 475 labourers are working on the project and around 62 percent of work has been completed so far,” Razdan said.

Pertinently, the project has been witnessing roller coaster ride from past several years giving a tough time to commuters. In view of massive traffic jams in year 2015, the authorities had closed the road stretch from Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh at many spots to expedite its construction. 

“Such important projects must be completed on time. Authorities cannot take our hardships for granted. There is need of seriousness to complete the project without any further delay,” commuters at Iqbal Park said.

The work on the ambitious Rs 350 crore flyover began in 2013. The project is being financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB) with an aim to reduce the traffic congestion in city centre and provide quick access to Srinagar International Airport.

Once completed, the 2.4-km flyover is expected to reduce the journey time from Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh from 28 minutes to around three minutes.

The project was scheduled to be completed in three years. The original deadline for completion of the flyover was September 2016. However, due to devastating floods in September 2014, the deadline was renewed to March 2017.

It is pertinent to mention here that the project has missed its second deadline scheduled as March 2017.

Guest