Sanat Nagar flyover construction hits major roadblock

Srinagar, Feb 6: The long-awaited Sanat Nagar flyover along the Srinagar expressway Bypass on National Highway 44 (NH44) has hit a roadblock concerning the shifting of power infrastructure.

Officials reveal that a crucial 132 KV power line currently runs over the under-construction flyover, necessitating that its height be raised or the line shifted to avert any potential accidents.

With the project’s completion date approaching fast, concerns have arisen that delays may hinder the flyover’s opening before the deadline of April 2025.

According to a senior official of Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL), who spoke on the condition of anonymity, "There is a proposal to raise the height of the power line as removing or dislocating it is not feasible due to the proximity of the grid station."

He continued, "We have submitted the proposal for the necessary works, but it hinges on acquiring land, which has yet to be resolved. As things stand, the threat remains that if the height is not raised, it may lead to serious mishaps."

He said that the proposal for acquiring land for this work has been submitted to Deputy Commissioner Srinagar. This looming issue raises pressing questions among officials regarding the timeline for addressing the elevation of the power line. Critically, they wonder why the height adjustment was not addressed earlier in the project’s planning phases. In light of these complications, the administration has designated April 15 2025 as the final deadline to open the flyover to public traffic.

To enhance traffic flow at crucial intersections like Bemina, Sanat Nagar, and Nowgam, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) proposed constructing three short-distance flyovers along NH44 back in 2020. While the flyovers at the Nowgam and Bemina intersections have successfully opened to traffic earlier last year, the Sanat Nagar flyover’s timeline has faced considerable delays.

An official from the Roads and Buildings Department explained, “The construction of the other grade separators progressed swiftly, but the work on the Sanat Nagar flyover was delayed due to approval issues.”

For commuters, the Sanat Nagar intersection has historically been a major source of frustration, often characterised by daunting traffic bottlenecks. The completion of this project is expected to significantly alleviate congestion along the Srinagar expressway bypass.