Rambagh flyover likely to miss deadline

Srinagar is likely to witness traffic congestion for some longer period as the prestigious Rs 369 crore Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh Expressway Corridor (flyover) project is unlikely to be completed by March 2017; the reason being the delay in execution work followed by loss of time during 2014 floods.

The flyover, which was announced in July 2009 in its initial phase, hit many roadblocks including litigations by traders and hurdles in land acquisition.
Work on the project began in 2013 and was scheduled to be completed by September 2016. However the deadline was revised to March 2017.
The officials believe that given the pace at which the work on the project is going on, it is unlikely to the completed within the targeted time.
“We are behind schedule and it is unlikely that the project will be completed before April 2017,” said a senior official of Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), which has been designated as the executing agency for the project.
The contract for construction of the flyover has been accorded to Simplex Infra Limited for Rs 200 crore whereas Rs 160 crore have been earmarked for the land acquisition and rehabilitation of the affected traders.
Talking to Kashmir POST, Director ERA, Malik Basharat said that currently work on the project is going on two stretches. “Since inception of this project we are working in double shifts,” he said, adding that there were some hiccups as the section-D which included municipality buildings were to be dismantled which took sometime due to litigations.
“The work on dismantling of Estates building is currently going on and compensation of evacuated properties is on final stage.
“Besides this, major delay was due to September floods 2014,” he said adding that they are working hard to complete the project within time.
Once completed, the 2.4-km flyover will reduce the journey time from Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh from 28 minutes to just 2.5 minutes and will go a long way in reducing the traffic congestion in the area between Lal Chowk and airport in Humhama.
Government has already completed construction of two mega shopping complexes at Rambagh for rehabilitation of the affected shopkeepers under the flyover project.
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.
The work on the project has been divided into 4 sections – A, B, C and D. Approximately 280 shopkeepers were affected by the project.
Meanwhile, the district administration has halted the vehicular movement on Rambagh-Jehangir Chowk road to avoid any risk being posed to commuters by the placing of the girders on the flyover along the stretch.
In the wake of collapse of flyover in Kolkatta recently, in which 26 people were killed, there was a demand for closure of traffic on the Rambagh-Jehangir Chowk road stretch.
Though most of the groundwork on the 3.92 kilometer flyover, has been completed, at many spots the long beams made of iron and concrete are being laid atop the concrete pillars for construction of flyover surface.