By Ovais Gull
Srinagar: Even after missing several deadlines since 2013, the much-awaited Jahangir Chowk-Ram Bagh flyover would be fully completed within four weeks.
The project started by the then government led by Omar Abdullah is awaiting completion since the year 2013. It has missed almost half a dozen deadlines so far.
The second phase of Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover was inaugurated and thrown open for the vehicular traffic today. The second phase of JCRB flyover was inaugurated by Governor Satya Pal Malik.
This particular phase of the flyover stretches 1.04 kilometres from Rambagh to Alochi Bagh having been constructed at a cost of 37.5 crore rupees.
It is expected to prove as a major traffic decongestant on grade roads underneath it including Rambagh, Solina and Alochi Bagh. It is also expected to significantly reduce stagnation on the important Rambagh Bridge.
However, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr. Shahid-ul-Islam stated that the third phase of the flyover will take maximum 3-4 weeks more.
Notably, the project is being executed by Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA) with Simplex Infra Limited as project contractor. The flyover, on which work began in 2013, is being financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and is thought to considerably reduce the traffic congestion in Srinagar city centre and provide quick access to International Airport.
Already causing loss to the state exchequer to the tune of whooping 54 Cr rupees till last year, delay in its completion has drained out tax payers’ money further.
“The work that remained suspended during the 2016 unrest has led to the loss of Rs 54 Cr to the government. Though the work got halted during the strikes but the agreement signed between the contractor and the government has to be followed. The government has to pay hefty amount to the contractor as he has invested the money already but failed to execute the works due to the shutdowns,” the reliable sources informed.
The execution of the work on JCRB flyover has also caused inconvenience to the commuters as the road starting from Jahangir Chowk witness frequent traffic jams.
“Hundreds of vehicles could be seen in a traffic mess every day. The commuters are being forced to remain stranded for hours,” witnesses said.
Earlier, JKERA imposed a penalty of Rs 2 crore on contractor M/S Simplex Infrastructure Limited, which is executing work on the Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover. The company has been penalised for its failure to complete the second phase of the flyover from Rambagh to Alochi Bagh.
Agency’s chief executive officer Raghav Langer had said as per the revised time schedule, the company had to complete the structural portion of the second phase by December 31, 2018.
“However, it got delayed till the end of February due to sub-optimal manpower, material and machinery deployed by the contractor. In October 2018, the contractor was penalised with an initial penalty of Rs 1.25 crore by the agency,” he had said.
