Srinagar, Oct 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government has clarified that there is currently no proposal to widen and upgrade key city roads, including Rawalpora–Rangreth, Rambagh–Chadoora, Natipora–Nowgam and the Barzulla–Srinagar International Airport stretches, citing major land and cost constraints.
In a written reply to a question by MLA Mushtaq Guroo, the Public Works (R&B) Department said that widening these roads would require “substantial land and structure acquisition” as they pass through densely built-up urban areas with limited right of way. “The widening proposal will involve significant cost implications, since acquisition of private land with many existing residential and commercial structures would be required,” the reply stated.
However, the government informed that a flyover from Barzulla to Humhama has been proposed by the PWD (UT of J&K) as part of ‘NH-444 alignment’ and the proposal has already been submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for approval. “Once the alignment gets approved, the DPR for said flyover shall be taken up to decongest the said stretch and ensure hassle-free traffic movement on this vital road from Barzulla to Humhama International Airport,” the department said.
The government also said the process of land acquisition for the flyover will begin once the project is sanctioned.
When asked whether any traffic volume study had been conducted on the Rambagh–Natipora and Rawalpora–Rangreth corridors and whether steps were being taken for footpaths or subways to ease pedestrian movement, the department responded: “No, Sir.”—(KNO)
