Minister for Public Works Naeem Akhtar today said that the prestigious Srinagar-Qazigund four lane highway will be thrown open for traffic by the September of this year and it will usher in a new era of prosperity and development.The Minister was speaking to people while inspecting the work on the project. The Minister was accompanied by Chief Engineer R&B, Regional Director NHA1, representatives of Ramky and other officials.The Minister was informed that the project earlier expected to be completed in 2016 was delayed due to the deteriorating law and order situation.He said that despite the challenges the work on the project is going on full swing as the company has been able to convince labourers for continuing the work and the entire stretch from Qazigund to Srinagar will be thrown open for traffic by September 2017.The officials informed the Minister that only 3kms of road stretch from Gallandar to Panthachowk has to be blacktopped out of total 9 kms. The work got delayed due to inclement weather and frequent blocking of Srinagar-Jammu highway as the construction material couldn’t reach on time. Similarly, all the structures on the highway including bridges and underpasses have either been completed or in final stages of completion.
The Minister visited Panthachowk, Goripora, Barsu, Awantipora bypass, Qazigund and other spots of constructions of this highway. He gave on the spot direction to officials to resolve the issues due to which the construction work has been stalled at various places. He also directed the revenue authorities to facilitate the transfer of land to the company at the earliest wherever dispute has arisen.The Minister reiterated that the peace is imperative for completion of such projects and it is the duty of people to cooperate if they want to benefit from it. He said that once completed the highway will catalyze greater business and efficient people to people movement in the valley.The Minister also inspected the work on the new road tunnel at Qazigund. He said that the construction work on both the portals of the tunnel is going on full speed and same will be commissioned by next year. He said that the DPR of Vailoo tunnel and Mughal road tunnel is also being prepared and department is hopeful of starting the construction of these tunnels within 12-18 months. He said that the massive road projects will be become landmarks of interstate and intrastate connectivity in the state.