Srinagar, April 08: The much-awaited Sanat Nagar flyover along the Srinagar expressway bypass (NH44) has missed yet another revised deadline, leaving commuters frustrated as they continue to navigate traffic jams at one of the city’s busiest intersections. Initially slated for completion in June 2024, the Rs 45 crore project has faced multiple delays, with the revised April deadline also failing to materialise.
The flyover is part of the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) broader initiative to ease 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 flyovers at Bemina and Nowgam were completed and opened to traffic in early 2024, construction at Sanat Nagar has remained stalled.
The ongoing delay has left commuters increasingly frustrated. “The traffic jams are unbearable, especially during peak hours,” said Yawar Mir, a local resident. “I spend more time stuck in traffic than actually driving.” Ishfaq Rather, a regular commuter, added, “I leave early to avoid the traffic but still find myself waiting for long stretches just to get through this intersection.”
For many, this daily struggle has become a constant headache. “I can’t remember the last time I was able to pass through here without getting stuck,” said Ridha Iqbal, another frequent commuter. “This flyover was supposed to make things better, but it’s only causing more headaches.”
The primary cause of the delay, according to officials, was the 132 KV high-voltage transmission line running directly above the construction site, which obstructed work on the flyover. This power line, passing above the construction zone near the Seven Eleven Departmental Store, posed significant challenges for the project, delaying progress and complicating the work.
This issue has led many residents to question why such a significant obstacle wasn’t anticipated and addressed earlier in the planning phase. “It’s shocking they started construction without resolving such a major issue,” said Muneeb Khan, a local resident. “Poor planning and lack of coordination have left people suffering.”
However, a senior official at the Roads and Buildings Department (R&B) has assured that the issue has now been resolved. “The power line has been successfully raised, eliminating the previous obstacle and allowing construction to proceed without further delays,” said Sajad Naqeeb, Chief Engineer of R&B. He further reassured the public that the project remains a top priority. As for the flyover’s completion, Naqeeb confirmed, “The flyover will be thrown open to the public by the end of June.” While authorities work to address the remaining challenges and push for a June completion, commuters continue to face the daily frustration of traffic jams. For now, they can only hope the long-awaited flyover will finally bring the relief they have been waiting for.
