Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Nov 5: Design work and soil testing has begun for three major road infrastructure projects in Srinagar bypass with construction likely to begin by the end of this year.
These include the Parimpora-Shalteng flyover on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway, a vehicular overpass at Muminabad Junction and an overhead pedestrian bridge near the Children’s Hospital in Bemina.
The projects are being implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) under the National Highway (Original) [NH(O)] programme. Officials said the tendering process has already been completed, paving the way for physical work to start soon. Collectively, the projects aim to ease chronic traffic congestion on some of the city’s busiest routes.
With an estimated cost of Rs. 59 crore, the proposed four-lane Parimpora-Shalteng flyover will span nearly two kilometers, connecting Parimpora with Shalteng along the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. The other two projects-the vehicular overpass at Muminabad Junction and the overhead pedestrian bridge near the Children’s Hospital in Bemina-are being developed at a combined cost of around Rs. 21 crore.
According to the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, soil testing and design finalisation are progressing simultaneously to ensure structural stability and timely completion. “The design work is underway, and soil testing has started along the entire stretch. We aim to begin physical construction by December,” Sushil Kumar, Chief Engineer, R&B Department (Central), told the Excelsior.
Kumar said the Parimpora-Shalteng flyover is critical for easing bottlenecks on the highway that links Srinagar with Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara. “Once operational, the flyover will significantly reduce traffic jams and travel time. It is a long-pending requirement for the city,” he added.
The overhead bridge near the Children’s Hospital, a 500-bed facility that became functional in 2022, is also seen as vital for pedestrian safety. “The absence of a footbridge or zebra crossing forces people to cross the road amid heavy traffic, putting their lives at risk,” said a hospital attendant, adding that ambulances often face delays as they must take a U-turn two kilometres ahead of the hospital.
The vehicular overpass at Muminabad Junction, another congestion-prone spot, is expected to ease traffic flow and improve connectivity within the city once completed.
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