Satish Sharma, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, has called for several major infrastructure projects in Srinagar to address the city’s growing traffic congestion and improve connectivity.
Sharma made these demands after calling on Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Monday with whom he discussed the development scenario in J&K related to road infrastructure and transportation.
Sharma proposed an elevated corridor from Akhara Maisuma Chowk to Dalgate, which he said would reduce the traffic bottlenecks in the bustling commercial zones of the city. Additionally, he called for another elevated corridor from Qamarwari to Srinagar city.
For the historic Downtown Srinagar, Sharma suggested constructing an elevated route parallel to the existing roads connecting Soura, Nowhatta, Bohri Kadal, Old City, and Habba Kadal.
To further enhance connectivity, Sharma recommended four-laning the iconic Boulevard Road from Dalgate to Nishat, a stretch frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Sharma also proposed a second bridge over the Jhelum River with a viaduct connecting the existing Abdullah Bridge at Rajbagh to Lal Mandi Road.
Sharma expressed gratitude for all the support being extended by the Union government towards the development of the region. He apprised the Union Minister of the status of the road network in J&K. He stated that J&K being a mountainous region requires good road connectivity to develop the far-flung areas, as per a press release issued by the J&K government.
The Minister also submitted a memorandum mentioning the construction and repair of several roads, highways, and bridges throughout J&K. He urged for a dedicated corridor for Jammu Airport to Padamshri Padma Sachdev College for Women, Grade elevator for K C Theatre BC Road to Mandal, one elevated corridor from Jewel Chowk Jammu to Canal Road crossing to be connected with Akhnoor flyover.
The Minister requested underpasses for pedestrians and Mono-Rail under Urban Transportation, development of Integrated Transport Hubs to improve multimodal connectivity in Jammu and Srinagar cities.
Satish Sharma also urged for four lanning/upgradation of road connectivity in border areas especially Akhnoor-Chhamb and Kupwara-Uri (Border Transportation) besides enhanced allocations under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for remote and border villages.
The Minister discussed various other issues including early completion of ongoing tunnel projects and approval of new tunnels at various places especially snow bound areas, assistance for procuring electric buses and establishing charging infrastructure under ongoing schemes for public transport modernization; Pilot projects on smart public transport systems using real-time tracking and passenger information systems; installation of Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) Cameras on State and Local roads; approval for ropeway projects to boost tourism and improve connectivity in border and hilly regions; and expansion of existing ropeway projects.
Satish Sharma also requested for financial support for feasibility and project execution under the National Ropeway Development Program, strengthening border area roads for strategic and civilian purposes under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, establishment of a Center of Excellence in Road and Transport Engineering in J&K for research and training, allocation of funds for procurement and strengthening of government owned public transport fleet in J&K, establishment of an Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) in Kashmir province in the upcoming financial year on the similar pattern of IDTR in Jammu, establishment of Government-Funded Automatic Vehicle Fitness and Inspection Centres in different locations in J&K.
The Union Minister, while responding to the issues raised by the UT Minister, assured that all these matters of vital public importance would be considered for redressal within the shortest possible time.
Nitin Gadkari said that the vision of Viksit Bharat can’t be achieved without the progress of J&K, as it has an exceptional place in national progress policy. He said that the central government is committed to the establishment of robust roads and highway infrastructure in the region. He assured to consider the projects highlighted by the UT Minister, Satish Sharma.
