In a development that has been long overdue and long awaited the Srinagar administration is gearing up for a massive road redevelopment project under which nearly 400 kilometres of road length spread across the district is being re-developed.This was informed in a meeting convened here Saturday under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary who is also CEO Srinagar Smart City Limited or SSCL.The project is a convergence project and is being taken up under the Srinagar Smart City project.The Roads & Buildings department which is contributing over 50 percent funding towards the project has completed several detailed project reports or DPRs and is in the process of completing others.The project is being taken up after an extensive road audit exercise was carried out last year. The findings as noted in the road audit report have guided the DPRs that have been or are being prepared as part of this project.The project does not just include resurfacing of roads but also includes a host of other related aspects ranging from shifting of utilities and widening of roads wherever required to solutions to drainage concerns to installation of road furniture and traffic and other signages and markings. It also includes a component of footpath redevelopment where required.
Several departments are involved in the project and have submitted their recommendations and plans — the aim being to ensure that the project is well-planned and futuristic and covers all aspects to provide longterm solutions to roads woes in the district.Concerned departments have also been asked to explore underground ducting of utilities wherever possible and on major roads where it should be underground. This will include power infrastructure where possible.The project is in tendering stage and work is expected to be started on the ground soon. The R&B has been asked to coordinate with the Traffic department to come up with a well-thought-our plan which ensures no hurdles are faced as far as traffic movement is concerned.Dr Shahid while speaking on the occasion said the project is an extremely important one considering the condition of roads and repeated problems being faced on this front. He said the aim of the project is to find permanent solutions to roads woes of the district.He said the manpower involved in the work on the ground will be equipped with all requisites as far as following precautions in view of the prevailing health situation are concerned adding that the R&B department is being provided all requisite protective gear and items for each official and worker who will be involved in the work.Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir Sami Arif and senior officers from all concerned departments attended the meeting. Chief Planning Officer who is also Joint Director Planning Srinagar M Yaseen Lone was also present.