SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said it has framed a Rs 63.53 crore project for road widening and the development of alternative routes to decongest Sopore town, particularly around Asia’s largest fruit mandi in the area.
In response to a question by MLA Irshad Rasool Kar, the government, said that there is currently no proposal under consideration with BEACON or BRO regarding the widening of the bypass road from Amargarh to Model Town.
Acknowledging that the fruit season leads to a surge in vehicular movement in areas surrounding the Fruit Mandi, resulting in heavy traffic congestion—particularly from Mazbugh Bridge to the bypass near the toll post—the government said it has framed a DPR for road widening covering a 2.50 km stretch at an estimated cost of Rs 46.01 crore.
Additionally, a DPR for the development and strengthening of an alternative road from Mazbugh to Ashpeer has been framed at Rs 17.52 crore. However, the government stated that the execution of these projects depends on the availability of funds.
It added that two major roads adjacent to the Fruit Mandi have been upgraded under the PMGSY scheme, significantly aiding in managing traffic flow.
The upgraded roads include an 18 km double-lane road connecting the Fruit Mandi to Warpora on the Sopore-Bandipora highway and a 6.4 km double-lane road from the Fruit Mandi to Jalalabad.
“These roads play a crucial role in decongesting traffic, especially during the peak fruit season, and serve as key approach routes for vehicles coming from Zainageer, Rafiabad, Handwara, Kupwara, and Bandipora,” it said.
Regarding the status of three major bridges—Sopore-Mazbugh, Maharajpora, and the Trussed Grid Bridge at Seer-Jagir—the government admitted to significant delays in their completion.
The Mazbugh and Maharajpora bridges, initially undertaken by JKPCC, were later transferred to the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department. The government said that despite repeated tendering, no response was received for the Mazbugh Bridge, leading to the project being stalled.
Additionally, tenders for the Maharajpora bridge were received, but the quoted rates exceeded the estimated DPR cost, further delaying the project.
As for the Seer-Jagir bridge, the government stated that work is in progress, but technical issues have surfaced during execution. “The Design, Inspection, and Quality Control (DIQC) wing of the PWD is currently evaluating the technical challenges, and the project is expected to be completed once these issues are addressed,” it said. (KNO)
