Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today informed the Legislative Assembly that the Government has taken several measures to decongest the traffic in the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. He said work on construction of parking facilities at various focal points in these two cities are in progress, and after completion of these parking facilities there will be considerable improvement in regulating the traffic.Replying to a question by Rajesh Gupta, the Deputy Chief Minister said as a long term measure, the Government has taken up a proposal of launching two metro services in the capital cities to overcome the problem of congestion on permanent basis.Detailing some initiatives for Jammu city, he said that Jammu Municipal Corporation has proposed a parking lot at Panjtirthi for catering 240 vehicles (G+5) level on land measuring 6.5 kanals with a provision of firefighting, two lifts, ramp, attendant room etc. The DPR of an estimated cost of Rs 28 crore stands approved by the State Level High Power Steering Committee (SLHPSC) under AMRUT and tenders will be floated soon, he assured. “Besides, one more project for the parking of 150 light vehicles at Peerkho near Baba Lalji temple at Circular Road, Jammu has been approved under AMRUT at a cost of Rs15 crore. At Mubarak Mandi, a car parking lot for 22 vehicles has been completed at a cost of Rs 12.50 lakh,” said Dr Singh.To overcome the major parking problem in central Jammu, the JDA has undertaken a Rs 202 crore worth multi-tier parking project at General Bus Stand with a capacity of 1312 cars and 177 scooters, he informed adding ERA has also taken up a multi-level parking facility at City Chowk Jammu with a capacity for 350 cars.
He further informed that JDA has recently developed surface level parking opposite Maharaja Hari Singh Park having capacity of 233 cars as also a DPR has been prepared to expand the capacity for accommodating 450 cars and 210 two wheelers at an estimated cost of Rs. 59 crore at the same site .For the smooth movement of traffic on B.C. Road, Jammu, the government was considering construction of a flyover and widening of BC road to 8-lane specification, said the Deputy Chief Minister."To address the parking needs of Srinagar city, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has constructed 10 parking places at different places which have been outsourced" he informed further.Giving further details, he said ERA has taken up the construction work of a multi-level parking facility at old KMD Adda in Lal Chowk locality to cater to the parking need of main Srinagar city, while, two other multi-level projects at Sheikh Bagh and at the site of Old State Motor Garages at Lal Chowk have also been approved under AMRUT at a cost of Rs 25 crore and Rs 30 crore respectively.R S Pathania and Devinder Singh Rana raised supplementary questions and sought measures for effective traffic management in Jammu and other main cities. They called for a long term comprehensive traffic management plan to overcome the problem of regular traffic jamming.