SRINAGAR: The restoration and upgradation of the Bohri Kadal-Khanyar Police Station-Noor Jahan Bridge (Qamarwari) road has been delayed due to execution-related procedures, interdepartmental coordination, technical and design changes, traffic management, adverse weather and other site-specific issues, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has said.
The project, titled “Improvement of Nallah-I-Mar Road from Khanyar (Police Station) to Noor Jahan Bridge (Qamarwari)”, was funded by Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL), while its execution was entrusted to the Public Works (R&B) Department.
The government disclosed the details in response to an unstarred question by Khanyar MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar in the Legislative Assembly.
The work was technically sanctioned for Rs 15.6566 crore against an administrative approval of Rs 20 crore and allotted at a cost of Rs 15.60 crore. Of this, Rs 15.50 crore has already been incurred, according to the government.
The government said the progress of the project depended on execution procedures and field-level arrangements of the implementing agency. It attributed the delays, wherever encountered, to several factors, including interdepartmental coordination, technical and design changes, traffic management, adverse weather and site-specific constraints.
On concerns over the impact of the prolonged construction on residents and businesses, the government said the executing agency had been advised to ensure that the work did not create significant health or safety hazards for workers or the general public.
It said measures were taken to control dust and other construction-related issues, including proper site management, water sprinkling and safe handling of construction material wherever required.
The executing agency was also directed to follow applicable standard operating procedures and safety protocols and maintain proper barricading, signage, safe access and other safeguards at work sites.
The government said potential risks associated with construction activities were identified and preventive and safety measures put in place.
The reply, however, does not specify a revised completion deadline for the road restoration or provide a fresh timeline for allied works and black-topping.
