J-K govt aims to address traffic problem in Valley by next yr

The Jammu and Kashmir government has said it will complete major road projects this year in order to provide better connectivity and ensure effective traffic management in the Valley.
"By next year, the problem of traffic congestion in Srinagar city and other towns will be addressed to a large extent," Minister for Public Works Naeem Akhtar said at a meeting here yesterday.
"Major initiatives are afoot to provide better road connectivity and ensure effective traffic management in Kashmir Valley by completion of major road and infrastructure projects," he said.
The government is committed to building an infrastructure that will be able to provide the best services to the citizens. It has initiated a massive programme to build new roads, bridges and flyovers, Akhtar said.

The minister said work on Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover, Mehjoor Nagar bridge, TRC grade separator shall be completed by this year and construction of Bund road from Rambagh to Gangbug would be undertaken soon.
He directed officials concerned to expedite construction and upgrading uptown-downtown connecting roads, particularly at Tankipora-Zaindar Mohalla and Habbakadal-Babapora link roads which will greatly increase mobility in the interiors of the city.

Akhtar also directed officials to prepare the feasibility report of Pandach-Kupwara road that will connect various places in Ganderbal, Bandipora and Kupwara districts.
The around 150 km-long road will be a boon for connectivity between central and North Kashmir, he said.

"Work on the four-lane Boulevard road project is going on and will be of great help to tourists and locals," Akhtar said, and told officials to respect the aesthetic, environment and historical aspect of the area while carrying on with any development works.
The officials informed the minister that under the district sector plan, work on 527 schemes, at a cost of Rs 320 crore, is being undertaken.