Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar Wednesday said that major initiatives are afoot to provide better road connectivity and ensure effective traffic management in Kashmir valley by completion of major road and infrastructure projects.The Minister was speaking at the review meeting of Public Works Department here today, which was attended by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Chief Engineers of R&B and PMGSY, Director ERA Kashmir and other concerned officials.On the occasion, the Minister was informed that under District sector plan, work on 527 schemes at a cost of Rs 320 crore is being undertaken. Besides out of total plan of Rs 557 crore under all sectors, the expenditure till January 2017 stands at Rs 239 crore.Further, it was said that under NABARD, 121 schemes are in final stages of completion, while as work on 243 more schemes is going on in full swing.While speaking on the occasion, Naeem Akhtar said that the Government is committed to build a reliable infrastructure that is able to provide the best services to the citizens. He said that the Government has embarked on a massive programme to build new roads, bridges and flyovers. He said that by next year, the problem of traffic congestion in Srinagar city and other towns will be addressed to a major extent.
He said that work on Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover, Mahjoor Nagar bridge, TRC grade separator shall be completed by this year.The Minister said that construction of vital Bund road from Rambagh to Gangbug would be undertaken soon and directed the concerned to expedite the construction and upgradation of uptown-downtown connecting roads particularly at Tankipora-Zaindar Mohalla and Habbakadal-Babapora link roads. He said that this will greatly increase the mobility in the interiors of the city.He also directed the officials to prepare the feasibility report of Pandach-Kupwara road that will connect various historical and religious places in Ganderbal, Bandipora and Kupwara districts. He said that the road spanning over a length of around 150 kms will be a boon for the Central-North Kashmir connectivity. He said that work on the prestigious four-lane Boulevard road project is also going on and would also be a great help to tourists and locals alike. He enjoined the officials to respect the aesthetic, environment and historical value of the area while carrying on with any development works.