Jammu, February 18 The Jammu and Kashmir government has undertaken various key road projects and corridor developments to improve traffic flow across the downtown and arterial roads in Srinagar, the summer capital, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said on Wednesday.
Responding to a question by National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq in the Assembly here, Choudhary said the government is aware of the traffic congestion issues in downtown Srinagar and the necessity of ensuring smooth movement of ambulances, fire services, and other emergency vehicles.
“The road upgrading and improvement works are being undertaken in a phased manner. Works such as resurfacing, strengthening, drainage correction, and junction remodelling are being carried out under regular Roads and Building grants and other infrastructure development schemes,” he said.
He said the projects currently under various stages of execution included the Nowshera to Soura (KZP Road), Saida Kadal to Ashaibagh (SMS Road), Devi Angan-Hawal road, as well as the Alamgiri Bazar Chowk and Mirza Kamil Sahib Chowk corridors.
“The road stretches in downtown Srinagar, being old alignments, are struggling to cope with increased traffic, urbanization, and commercial activity, leading to congestion during peak hours,” the deputy CM said.
Choudhary said routine maintenance and necessary repairs are being carried out periodically to ensure trafficability and road safety.
He further said that preliminary assessments for improvement and widening of identified stretches have been undertaken.
“Comprehensive widening in most cases entails substantial land acquisition, shifting of utilities and removal of encroachments, requiring inter-departmental coordination,” he said.
The deputy CM said that the land acquisition process has also been affected in certain stretches due to court litigations, thereby impacting the progress.
Sharing details, he said that the structures near the Nalbal Bridge, part of the Nowshera to Soura (KZP Road), have been acquired, and that acquisition of the remaining structures will be taken up after settlement or negotiation in the High Level Committee and finalisation of pending court cases.
He said that a survey for widening of the Saida Kadal to Ashaibagh (SMS Road) is presently underway for a length of 1.75 km.
Besides, the proposal envisages widening of the carriageway from 7.50 metres to 21 metres, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being submitted after completion of survey and feasibility formalities, the deputy chief minister said.
He said that the preliminary project report for widening or upgrading of the Devi Angan-Hawal Road has been prepared under CRIF for an estimated cost of Rs 31.25 crore, including land acquisition and utility shifting cost of Rs 30 crore and development cost of Rs 1.25 crore for a length of 1.40 km.
“The project shall be taken up upon approval under the scheme and subject to the availability of funds,” he said.
He said that the Alamgiri Bazar Chowk project has been approved under UT Sector 2025-26 for Rs 3.35 crore, which includes the acquisition of five structures and junction redesigning.
The deputy CM said that the project of Mirza Kamil Sahib Chowk redesigning has been approved under UT Sector 2025-26 for an amount of Rs 1.35 crore.