A new bridge coming up at Noorbagh Qamarwari to ease the traffic congestion on Noorjahan Bridge has missed another deadline.
Local residents and commuters say the delay in completion of the bridge and widening project is causing inconvenience to people as the area is a traffic nightmare.
“We are facing immense hardships as the area witnesses frequent traffic jams and it has severely added to our problems,” a local resident said.
The construction of 127 metre long bridge was started in 2011. It missed its first deadline in 2014. Later Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti promised that the bridge would be thrown open by March 2017. The deadline was later extended to December 2017, which was missed again.
Chief Engineer R&B, Showkat Jeelani Pandit said that due to non-availability of site and encroachments in the area, the construction process got delayed.
“The mosque on one end of the bridge had to be shifted and it took time. Once the mosque structure is removed, the works will be started from the side. And an amount of rupees 50.43 lakhs have been released to rehabilitate the mosque this year.” Jeelani said.
“The construction process is going on. we’re trying our level best to complete the works by March 2018, leaving the left and right approach of the bridge which will be constructed at the additional cost of rupees 3.5 crores,” he added. “We had insufficient availability of funds and we’re hopeful that we’ll get funds to complete it as soon as possible.