Srinagar: Even after missing three deadlines since 2013, the Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) has set an another deadline for the Jehangir Chowk-Ram Bagh flyover project, even as it claimed to have achieved the project target by over 70 per cent.

The project started by the NC led government is awaiting completion since the year 2013. It has missed three deadlines so far while the fourth time limit has now been set for its completion.

Talking to ‘Kashmir Vision’, Farooq Ahmad Lone, Chief Executive Officer J&KERA said that the target of 70-75 per cent has been achieved in the overall project.

“The phase one of the project is almost completed. We have almost achieved the target of 70-75 per cent in total,” he said.

Asked how long it would take to complete the project, Lone said, “The deadline for the completion of the project is June. We hope the project would be completed in the given time,” he said and dropped the phone.

Earlier, 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 examined the entire one kilometer stretch of completed flyover on Aug 02.

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, sources said.

“The work that remained suspended during the 2016 unrest has led to the loss of Rs 54 Cr to the government. Though the work was 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,” reliable sources informed.

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.

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