Ruling NC legislators raise Srinagar’s traffic mess in Assembly

Srinagar, Feb 18: The ruling National Conference legislators from Srinagar district Wednesday raised the issue about the congestion witnessed in Srinagar city.

The issue was raised during the question hour of the ongoing budget session of J&K Legislative Assembly.

The question was raised by MLA Tanvir Sadiq who informed the House that old Srinagar parts have become congested over the past many years and the execution of decongestion plans are getting delayed from the government.

"The main issue is that the people are not satisfied with the amount provided to them as compensation by the government. There is a solution to overcome the problem of expanding the Srinagar district. The government should explore the option of constructing registered residential colonies," Sadiq informed the House.

He said the plan can be successful with the proper inter-departmental coordination. "The Housing and urban development department has to work in coordination with the other concerned departments for it," he said.

He said the government can acquire the land for residential colonies either in Narba side or Ganderbal area and establish residential colonies.

"We have to go vertical and we have to construct a shopping complex and provide shops to those people whose shops are demolished," he said.

He was flanked by MLA Mubarak Gul who informed the House that Srinagar city witnesses massive traffic gridlock during the peak hours and vehicles get stranded from Residency road to Dalgate.

"It becomes difficult to cross the area smoothly during peak hours. I suggest the government consult some good architects and explore the possibility of constructing a flyover from Sangarmal to ease the congestion.

MLA Shamim Firdous also cornered the government over the delay in taking up the road widening project in old city areas.

"A project was approved  for road widening from Lal Chowk to Soura. KZB road circular road was also taken up. But it has been one and a half years since the formation of the government but we are yet to see any relief," Shamim Firdous said.

She said despite availability of funds, the Roads and Buildings department did not execute the work. "Bottlenecks are not removed," she said.

Meanwhile, in a reply to query raised by Tanvir Sadiq that many roads in old Srinagar were structurally outdated, un-widened and poorly maintained, the minister in-charge Roads and Buildings Department, informed the House that the road stretches were old alignments developed several decades ago with limited Right of Way (ROW).

"With the substantial increase in traffic volume, urbanization and commercial activity, congestion is experienced particularly during peak hours," the minister said.

The minister said the routine maintenance and necessary repairs were being carried out periodically to ensure traffic ability and road safety.

"Preliminary assessments for improvement and widening of select stretches have been undertaken. Comprehensive widening in most cases entails substantial land acquisition, shifting of utilities and removal of encroachments, requiring inter-departmental coordination," the minister said.

The House was informed that the land acquisition process has also been affected in certain stretches due to court litigation, thereby impacting progress.

The government said structures near Nalbal Bridge stand acquired for widening of Nowshera to Sour (KZP Road).

"Acquisition of remaining structures shall be taken up after settlement/negotiation in the High Level Committee (HLC) and finalization of pending court cases," he said.

About Saida Kadal to Ashaibagh (SMS Road), the government said that the survey for widening was presently underway for a length of approximately 1.75 km.

"The proposal envisages widening of the carriageway from 7.50 meters to 21.00 meters. The Detailed Project Report (DPP) shall be submitted after completion of survey and feasibility formalities," the minister said.

He informed the House that the preliminary project report for widening and upgradation of Devi Angan-Hawal Road has been prepared by Chief Engineer, R&B Central Kashmir under CRIF scheme for an estimated cost of Rs. 31.25 Crores for a length of 1.40 km.

"This includes land acquisition and utility shifting cost of Rs.30.00 Crore and development cost of Rs. 1.25 Crore. 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 stands approved under UT Sector 2025-26 for an amount of Rs. 335.00 lakh, which includes acquisition of 05 structures and junction redesigning.

"The DPR is under process for the Accord of Administrative Approval/Technical Sanction and shall be considered subject to the availability of funds," he said.

He said that redesigning of Mirza Kamil Sahib (MK Sahib) Chowk stands approved under UT Sector 2025-26 for an amount of Rs. 135.00 lakh.

"The DPR is under process for the Accord of Administrative Approval/Technical Sanction," he said.

The minister said the government was cognizant of the traffic congestion issues in downtown Srinagar and the necessity of ensuring smooth movement of ambulances, fire services and other emergency vehicles.

"Road up-gradation and improvement works are being undertaken in a phased junction and prioritized manner based on traffic density, public safety considerations, land availability and financial feasibility," he said.

The minister said that the improvement works including resurfacing, strengthening, drainage correction and junction re-modelling are being executed under regular R&B grants and other infrastructure development schemes.