Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, May 5: Construction of the 1.7-kilometer Delina-Kanispora flyover along Srinagar-Baramulla highway in Baramulla district is facing delays, causing hardship to thousands of commuters and disrupting local economic activity.
An official said that the project, which began in 2023 as part of the Rs. 350-crore Narbal-Delina road widening initiative, has missed multiple deadlines due to a series of challenges.
The flyover is being built on a key stretch of National Highway-01, connecting Srinagar to Baramulla and further to border areas including Uri, Boniyar, and parts of Kupwara district.
Residents say the prolonged construction has led to persistent traffic congestion, significantly increasing travel time and affecting businesses in the area.
The official attributed the delays to several factors over the past two years, including a migration of labourers following the Pahalgam attack, harsh winter conditions, delays in compensation payments to landowners, and technical adjustments required due to a 132 KV transmission line near DPS School that affected the flyover’s elevation.
Despite the setbacks, the official said construction has now resumed at full pace and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The official said that out of Rs. 95 crore allocated for land compensation, more than Rs. 90 crore, about 95%, has been disbursed. “Nearly 200 families have received compensation for properties impacted by the project, including 100 to 120 structures such as houses, shops, boundary walls, and trees”.
Earlier this year, Baramulla Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid raised concerns over the slow progress of the flyover and the Pattan bypass with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. The Minister assured that the issue would be addressed.
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