After long delays, Bandipora’s Rs 3.5 Cr parking facility set to open by year-end
Bandipora, Nov 3: With traffic congestion worsening in Bandipora town, officials have announced that the long-delayed multi-level car parking facility at Gulshan Chowk is likely to be completed by the end of December, offering some relief to commuters and traders.
The busy three-kilometre stretch from Nebrepora to Kaloosa remains perpetually clogged with vehicles, with commuters often taking over half an hour to cover the short distance during rush hours. Residents and business owners say the situation has turned chaotic, affecting daily movement and trade.
The multi-level parking project, being constructed at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore, is expected to ease congestion by creating structured parking space in the town centre. The project is funded by the Urban Local Bodies Department and executed by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department.
Officials said nearly 80 percent of the work had been completed earlier, but progress stalled for about 11 months due to a financial crunch and pending contractor liabilities. Construction resumed recently after the funding issue was resolved, reviving hopes for early completion.
“There is no bypass, roads have been encroached, and there is hardly any space for commuters to park their vehicles,” said Nayeem Ahmad Lone, a local resident. “The parking facility may not end the problem entirely, but it will certainly provide some relief.”
Residents, however, emphasised that Bandipora’s traffic situation requires long-term planning and large-scale infrastructure interventions. They reiterated their long-pending demand for a bypass to divert heavy and inter-district traffic away from the town centre.
On Monday, MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat visited the site along with officials, local residents, and traders to review the ongoing work.
Executive Engineer, R&B Bandipora, Tariq Ahmad Ganaie, told Greater Kashmir that the project is on track. “We expect the work on the multi-level parking facility to be completed by the December end,” he said, adding that once operational, the facility will significantly decongest the town’s core areas.
