Bikram Chowk-Gandhi Nagar flyover begins to take shape

 Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 1

The 1.3-km long Bikram Chowk-Gandhi Nagar flyover, being constructed at a cost of Rs 95 crore, has finally begun to take shape as the executing agency has started placing concrete spans on the pillars.

The project is likely to be completed by December, 2016. Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project is being executed by the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), which executes major urban development projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

The project is being executed under Tranche-2 of the Loan-II Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Infrastructure Development Programme (JKUSDIP). The Director, ERA, Central Jammu, Alok Mengi, said the project was being constructed on a fast-track basis so that heavy rush of vehicles during the peak hours could be diverted. “We are regularly monitoring the work so that the project is not delayed. It will greatly help in the smooth flow of traffic during peak hours,” said Mengi.

The flyover comprises 38 columns, two subways and four bus ways. After the construction of the flyover, the inter-state and inter-district traffic on the southern districts of J&K would be regulated through the flyover. “At the moment the city has only one flyover, which was constructed in 1993-98. Due to increase in the number of vehicles, the existing road network is under huge pressure. We hope more such flyovers are constructed,” said Satish Sharma, a local resident.

The foundation stone of the project was laid in December, 2013, by the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, but the construction was delayed due to various administrative reasons and land compensation issue. Jammu city, with a population of 15 lakh, is spread over 175 sq km at present. The projected population of the city in 2021 is estimated to be 17 lakh requiring an area of 404 sq km, for which better road network is need.