Jehangir Chowk flyover becomes eyesore sans facelift

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 10

The area around abutments of Jehangir Chowk-Alochi Bagh flyover, which was thrown open to public in August after missing numerous deadlines has become an eyesore.

Economic Reconstruction Agency, which constructed the flyover has failed to remove metal scrap, construction material, site offices and quarters for the labourers from the abutments.

The firm has also left the beautification works on the flyover incomplete. A major portion of the flyover does not have street lights, which causes inconvenience to motorists.

Mohammad Azhar, Public Relations Officer, Economic Reconstruction Agency, said, “We will complete the beautification works. Due to some circumstances, we were not able to do any work.” Azhar, however, gave no time frame for the completion of the pending works.

He said installing street lights was part of the flyover project and they would get it done at the earliest.

Asked if they would construct parking spaces or shops under the flyover, the PRO said it was not part of the project.

“The workers were involved in the project were non-locals. They had to leave in August,” he said.

“We will remove the material dumped below the flyover. We will carry out the beautification works as soon as possible,” the PRO said.

The Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover project was announced in 2009. It was to be completed in three years, but got delayed due to many factors, including administrative hassles, floods in 2014 and 2016 unrest.