Repeated delays stall Sanat Nagar flyover, Sept set as new deadline

Srinagar, Aug 18: The long-awaited Sanat Nagar flyover along the Srinagar expressway bypass (NH44), remains incomplete despite repeated assurances from officials that it would open soon. Initially scheduled for completion in June 2024, the Rs 45 crore project has been plagued by repeated delays, with the latest deadline promising completion by June this year. Now, as August unfolds, the flyover remains under construction, leaving commuters frustrated.The flyover, aimed at easing congestion at one of Srinagar’s busiest junctions, is part of a broader plan by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to improve traffic flow at key intersections. In 2020, NHAI proposed the construction of three short-distance flyovers—at Bemina, Sanat Nagar, and Nowgam — to address severe bottlenecks on the Srinagar expressway bypass. While the other two were completed and opened in early 2024, work at Sanat Nagar continues to drag on.Officials from the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department had earlier attributed the delay to a 132 KV high-voltage transmission line running above the construction site near the Seven Eleven Departmental Store. The line was eventually raised in early summer, after which the officials assured the public that the issue had been resolved and that the flyover would open by June. However, despite these assurances, the flyover remains unfinished, and commuters continue to struggle with daily traffic jams. The ongoing delay has left local residents and commuters increasingly frustrated. Danish Wani, a local resident, said, “We are all just waiting for the flyover to open, but it feels like we’ve been waiting forever. I understand that there were issues, but it’s frustrating to see so little progress over the months.”“The traffic jams are unbearable, especially during peak hours,” said Ishtiaq Ahmad, another resident. “I spend more time stuck in traffic than actually driving.” Others, like Yousuf Rather, say even leaving home early makes little difference, “I still end up waiting for long stretches just to cross this intersection.” Despite the repeated delays, the R&B Department maintains that the Sanat Nagar flyover remains a priority. Tatheer Manzoor, Superintending Engineer at R&B, said that while the transmission line issue had been resolved, work was later slowed by a shortage of suitable soil. “Once the soil issue was addressed, work resumed, and we are now seeing steady progress. We expect the bridge to be open for public use by the end of September,” he said.Another senior R&B official, requesting anonymity, added that significant progress has been made in recent months. “The department has installed crash barriers, added expansion joints and deck slabs on the flyover. Quality and safety checks are also underway. If material supply continues without disruption, the project should be completed very soon,” the official said.As authorities continue work on the project, commuters remain hopeful that the flyover will finally be completed within the newly promised deadline. Until then, they continue to face long traffic snarls at Sanat Nagar, a daily ordeal many say has tested their patience.