Srinagar: Call it a sorry state of affairs or dilatory mode of functioning, the much hyped Jahangir Chowk to Ramabagh (JCRB) flyover is bound to miss another deadline of its completion this year set by the state government.

The completion of JCRB flyover has already missed two deadlines while the government had announced that the project will be completed by end of this year.

However, the work over JCRB flyover going on at snail pace would likely miss another deadline of its completion.

The Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhter on Aug 02 this year had said that the first phase of flyover from Amar Singh College to Rambagh will be completed soon and second and final phase will be completed by the end of this year. The minister had announced while he toured the entire one kilometer stretch of completed flyover on Aug 02.

However, officials wishing not be named informed that the completion of the project will take time. “It is not possible to complete the project by end of this year. Authorities are trying its best to complete the project on time but it seems that the project will miss the deadlines set by the authorities earlier,” they said.

Notably, the project is being executed by Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA) with Simplex Infra Limited as project contractor. The flyover, on which work began in 2013, is being financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and is thought to considerably reduce the traffic congestion in Srinagar city centre and provide quick access to International Airport.

Already causing loss to the state exchequer to the tune of whooping 54Cr rupees, delay in its completion is set to drain out tax payers’ money further.

“The work that remained suspended during the 2016 unrest has led to the loss of Rs 54 Cr to the government. Though the work halted during the strikes but the agreement signed between the contractor and the government has to be followed. The government has to pay hefty amount to the contractor as he has invested the money already but failed to execute the works due to the shutdowns,” the reliable sources informed.

They said that the frequent strikes at present are also halting the execution of the work. “The strikes in the Valley is also resulting in the halt in the execution of the work while the non-local labourers, working in the project are also feeling scary due to the strike, keeping in view of the last year’s uprising,” they said.

The execution of the work on JCRB flyover has also caused inconvenience to the commuters as the road starting from Jahangir Chowk witness frequent traffic jams.

“Hundreds of vehicles could be seen in a traffic mess every day. The commuters are being forced to remain stranded for hours,” witnesses said.

The commuters as well as the locals said that the dust on the roads have resulted in immense hardships to them. “The dust on the roads has affected the health of our children,” the locals said.

However, the officials said that keeping in view of the dust on the roads, the officials the water is being poured out for dust everyday on the roads.

Guest