Inaugurates JCR flyover phase-II

SRINAGAR: Giving summer capital a major breather from traffic jams, Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday inaugurated the second phase of much awaited Jehangir-Chowk-Rambagh (JCR) flyover here.
The one-and-half kilometer Rambagh-Alochibagh stretch of the flyover has been constructed at a cost of 37.5 crore rupees. The stretch is expected to prove as a major traffic decongestant on grade roads underneath it including Rambagh, Solina and Alochi Bagh.
The ADB funded project worth cost of Rs. 350 crore was announced in four phases. The four phases included Jehangir Chowk-Magarmal Bagh, Magarmal Bagh-Haft Chinar, Haft Chinar-Tulsi Bagh, and Tulsi Bagh-Barzulla.
The construction work on the flyover was started in October 2013 and is being executed by ERA with Simplex Infra Limited as project contractors. The second phase of the flyover inaugurated today, after more than six years since its announcement.
Earlier, the first phase Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh Expressway Corridor from Amar Singh College to Barzalla was inaugurated in 2018 by then Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti.
The project has missed numerous deadlines since the work began on it. The first deadline for the completion of the flyover was set in September 2016 following the devastating 2014 floods, which considerably delayed its execution. However, since March 2018 to 2019 April, the flyover project missed five deadlines for one or the other reason.
The government had also shifted officers of project executing agencies for their failure to meet the deadlines.
Despite the project execution has been delayed, the resident across express their happiness after the inauguration of second phase.
A shopkeeper Mushtaq Ahmed said “We have been waiting for this flyover; finally it will ease some traffic congestions. For my business I have to travel to Lal Chowk and adjacent areas. Earlier, it consumed many hours due to traffic jams and now it will take a few minutes to reach my destination.”
A student Khalid said, “Other phases of flyover need to be completed at earliest. The sumo driver drops at Iqbal Park and from that, we have to walk towards Lal Chowk. It is a daily routine for us and the same is followed in the night. We hope and pray the final phase of the flyover is completed on time.”
Once completed, the 2.4-kilometer flyover with six access ramps – including at Jehangir Chowk, Gogji Bagh, Alochi Bagh, Rambagh, Natipora and Barzulla – will substantially decongest city traffic and reduce travel time between Jehangir Chowk and Rambagh from about 45 minutes as it takes now to about 2.5 minutes.