SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has proposed widening and upgrading the Zakura Crossing-Pandach chowk road at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) 2026-27, the Legislative Assembly was informed.
The proposal was disclosed in response to a starred question raised by Habba Kadal MLA Salman Ali Sagar over traffic congestion and difficulties faced by commuters on several roads in the constituency.
The Public Works (R&B) Department said barricading and traffic personnel have been deployed at Habak Chowk and Zakura Crossing to regulate traffic.
On the Habak-Shalimar road via Batapora/Shala Naseem, the department said no chronic congestion had been reported on the local link roads. It added that the road had already been upgraded through macadamisation and berm development under the CRIF scheme.
The Mallabagh-Illahibagh road, meanwhile, serves as an important link between Hazratbal and the 90-Feet Road and witnesses heavy traffic during peak hours, particularly because of private schools in the adjoining areas. Traffic personnel monitor the stretch through the concerned traffic points, the government said.
The department also informed the Assembly that land acquisition cases involving 34 structures had been framed under the Bottleneck Removal Component. Of these, two structures have already been acquired.
Against Rs 700 lakh received for bottleneck removal, Rs 20 lakh has been disbursed, while Rs 200 lakh is currently available with the Collector, Land Acquisition, PWD. A further Rs 480 lakh is awaiting re-validation.
The remaining structures will be taken up progressively, subject to the availability and re-validation of funds and completion of the required land acquisition formalities, the department said.
It added that measures including road repairs and resurfacing, junction improvements, removal of encroachments, road markings and signage, along with other traffic-management measures, are being undertaken wherever necessary.
The government further said comprehensive proposals for road widening and upgrading had been prepared and were at different stages of technical examination and approval.
The final project costs, land acquisition requirements and timelines for starting and completing the works will be determined after approval of the respective projects and subject to availability of the required funds.
