Srinagar: At a time when Kashmir witnessed harshest weather condition in last over three decades, citizens and commuters at large have hailed Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) and World Bank assisted Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) for speeding up the project—which survived the adverse weather conditions.
The J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) started work on Rs 9.16 crore ‘Rigid Concrete Pavement of civil secretariat to Rambagh Chowk road in August 2020 and ever since the project has been hailed by the locals, commuters and especially the business community.
The work on the sub-project being executed under World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) has received an overwhelming response from people at large.
“It is really good to see certain projects doing extremely well in Kashmir and also helping the general public at large,” Businessman, Bilal Ahmad Bhat said. “Rigid Pavement has helped us to provide better services during harsh weather conditions and thanks to JKERA, JTFRP for that,” Bhat said.
President, Traders Association, Rambagh, Showkat Ahmad expressed gratitude to the team of engineers of JKERA/JTFRP for completing the project in time and also providing relief to the general public.
“We must express our gratitude to the team of engineers and other officials at JKERA/JTFRP for their dedication in completing the project which has not only eased our sufferings but it has proved to be a great relief for managing traffic snarls,” Ahmad said.
Another prominent trade union leader and President, Natipora Traders Association, Mehraj Ahmat Khan hailed the government for all their efforts in completing the project and hoped more such unique projects are launched to ease out the inconveniences meted out by the locals and citizens in Srinagar.
Chief Executive Officer, J&KERA and JTFRP, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, said 1.9 kms road stretch was being upgraded with an objective of making the vulnerable portions of Indira Gandhi road resilient to floods by using the rigid concrete pavement technology instead of the conventional flexible pavement which was more susceptible to damages during water logging. He appreciated his officials and technical team for addressing people’s demands and also providing quality projects.
The project road connects Srinagar to Sheikh Ul Alam international Airport, having moderate intensity of commercial vehicles. Rambagh to Civil Secretariat is a highly commercial area with settlements on both sides of the road like Rambagh, Solina, Allochi Bagh, Tulsibagh, Hazuri Bagh, Magarmal Bagh, Saraibala, Batamallo, Shaheed Gunj etc. The subproject road starts from the Rambagh near Barzulla Bridge and terminates at Civil Secretariat near Jehangir Chowk.
The proposed road lies between the Latitudes of 34’3’2.’10″N (Start of the Project Rambagh- Ch 0+000), and 34″4’21 .15″ N (End of the Project – Ch 1+900) and Longitudes of 74’48’11.96’E (Start of the Project at Rambagh- Ch 0+000)’ 74″48’5.15″E (End of the Project at Civil Secretariat Ch f+900) Categorically, it is a 2 lane Dual carriageway falling under plain terrain connecting Srinagar Airport, having moderate intensity of commercial vehicles. Built-up sections observed on both sides of the road.
Javed Iqbal Tara, Director, Kashmir ERA informed that the road portion was constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 9.16 crore. The project was completed within the set deadline and directly benefited thousands of people living on both the sides of the road which include Rambagh, Solina, Allochi Bagh, Tulsi Bagh, Hazuri Bagh, Magarmal Bagh, Saraibala, Shaheed Gunj, Maharaji Bazar, Natipora, Bakshi Stadium and Batmaloo.
Director Planning and Coordination (P&C), JTFRP, Iftikhar Ahmad Hakim, said this was for the first time that Concrete Rigid Pavement Technology was being used at a large scale for up-gradation of roads in J&K. The technology was being used as a long term protection against the recurrent damages caused due to the frequent water logging during the torrential rains and to make the vital road stretch leading up to Srinagar airport more durable and flood resilient.
