Owais Gul
Srinagar, Dec 9: Under the much-hyped Smart City project, the government is all set to come up with a couple more wire-free markets as well as a wooden bridge being constructed at the site of Old Amir Kadal bridge, which would be completed by the next four months.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL), Athar Aamir Khan said that the work on various projects is in full swing at present including in downtown areas as well.
“In Shehr-e-Khaas, various projects like Dalagte-Gojwara road, Nalaimar Road, typical heritage markets including Zaina Kadal, Malarata stretch, Nawa Bazaar, Nawa Kadal, Karan Nagar and other projects have already been already taken up,” he said.
Khan further stated that besides roads, the work on sewerage and other related things have been started; the drainage networks are being laid while underground electricity is also being done in Zaina Kadal and Malaratta. “Like Residency Road, the work to lay the underground wires is being done also in heritage markets of the downtown including Zaina Kadal and Malaratta,” he said.
He added three types of roads are being designed at present, which include vehicle priority, shared streets and specifically for pedestrians for which tile paths and other things are being done.
About the heritage buildings, he said some of these buildings have deteriorated and to restore the façade, the work has been divided into four parts.
“At least 6-7 agencies are working in downtown areas at present and the work is being monitored on a daily basis,” he said.
He also informed that a wooden bridge is coming up at Amira Kadal, saying that the new wooden bridge is being constructed at the site of Old Amir Kadal bridge to integrate Lal Chowk and Riverfront with Hari Singh High Street, Goni Khan, Maharaja Bazar and other adjacent parts.
“The work to construct the bridge has been already started while a load testing was needed and is being done at present with NIT,” he said, adding that the work has been started in a full-fledged way and the project is expected to be completed in the next 3-4 months.
He also stated that Goni Khan, Maharaj Bazar, Hari Singh High Street are being designed as plazas for the people.
Furthermore, he appealed the people to ensure maintenance of the projects being constructed by the government.
