Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Jan 22: The much-awaited Sanat Nagar flyover along the Srinagar Expressway bypass on NH-44 is on track to be completed by April this year, despite facing work disruptions due to harsh winter weather.
Construction on the flyover slowed during the ongoing Chilai Kalan-the 40-day period of severe winter in Kashmir-sparking speculation about delays and raising concerns among commuters awaiting relief from persistent traffic snarls at the busy Sanat Nagar intersection.
“The project was progressing well, but over the past month, it has not advanced at an even pace, making us wonder if it might be delayed,” Sameer Ahmad, a commuter, said.
However, Chief Engineer of the Roads and Buildings Department, Sajjad Naqeeb, said that the project remains on schedule despite challenges posed by subzero temperatures. “Although the work has slowed, it has not stopped. We are currently focused on approaching roads and other critical tasks. The flyover will be completed as planned,” he said.
The Sanat Nagar flyover is part of a larger National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) initiative to ease traffic congestion at the Bemina, Sanat Nagar, and Nowgam intersections. Approved in 2018, the project involves constructing three flyovers spanning 3.23 kilometers along NH-44. While the Bemina and Nowgam flyovers are operational, the Sanat Nagar flyover experienced delays due to prolonged approval processes by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which took nearly two years.
“The other grade separators progressed quickly, but the Sanat Nagar flyover faced delays primarily due to the need to relocate major utilities along the route,” an official from the Roads and Buildings Department said.
The Sanat Nagar intersection has long been a traffic bottleneck, causing frustration among commuters. Bashir Ahmad, a commuter said, expressed hope that the flyover will address these challenges. “The new flyover will reduce travel time and improve traffic flow at this critical junction,” he said.
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