SRINAGAR: The proposed widening of the Rambagh-Natipora arterial road in Srinagar has been estimated to cost Rs 45 crore, but the project is awaiting approval from the Government of India, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has informed the Legislative Assembly.
The project, titled “Widening of main road from Natipora crossing to existing flyover near Zum Zum building Rambagh”, has been prioritised under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) 2026-27 and forwarded to the Centre for approval.
The government provided the information in response to an Un-Starred question raised by MLA Mushtaq Guroo in the Assembly.
The Rambagh-Natipora road is described as a major arterial corridor carrying substantial vehicular and pedestrian traffic and providing connectivity to several densely populated residential and commercial areas.
According to the Public Works (R&B) Department, traffic along the corridor is currently being regulated by Traffic City Srinagar through deployment of personnel. The road has also been barricaded and one-way traffic movement implemented as measures to facilitate smoother and safer traffic management.
The government said that several alternative interventions have also been undertaken or are under execution to ease congestion on the existing arterial road.
An alternate road from Natipora Junction to Barzulla Bridge along Doodhganga Nallah at Rambagh was taken up under the Smart City initiative and has been completed. The project was sanctioned at a cost of Rs 764 lakh.
Another project, the Bund Road along Doodhganga Nallah from Natipora to Chanapora, has been sanctioned at Rs 350 lakh and is currently under progress. The government said the road is intended to provide an additional traffic corridor and help divert vehicles from the existing Rambagh-Natipora route.
An underpass beneath Barzulla Bridge has also been completed, providing an additional grade-separated traffic movement facility at the location.
In addition, a T-junction near Natipora Junction has been developed and completed.
On the issue of identifying specific road stretches for widening, land acquisition, encroachment removal and shifting of utilities, the department said the concerned field officers were still in the process of formulating a proposal.
The proposal is being prepared in consultation and coordination with all concerned stakeholders, the government said.
The status means that while the government has prioritised the Rs 45-crore widening project and submitted it to the Centre, the detailed execution-related process covering the stretches to be widened and other associated requirements is still being worked out.
The proposed widening is aimed at improving the road infrastructure along the busy corridor and addressing persistent traffic congestion affecting one of Srinagar’s major arterial routes.
