Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Nov 17: The much-delayed Sanat Nagar flyover project in Srinagar has missed yet another completion deadline, with officials indicating that the timeline is likely to be extended by about a week to allow finishing works to be completed.
Officials said that the government officers heading the project and overseeing the inauguration are currently in Delhi, while another cause of delay was the Nowgam blast.
“A brief extension of around a week has been sought to wrap up the pending work. Officials have also conveyed that this should be the final one,” an official said.
The latest delay has, however, prompted discussions within the administration about possible action in case of further lapses. “A detailed review might be held once the officials return, and all aspects, including accountability, will be looked into,” the official added.
Earlier, in August, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary had cautioned that the contractor would face strict action, including possible blacklisting, if the project was not completed by November 15. He had also ordered a “probe into Rs 23 crore” in payments reportedly cleared despite incomplete work on the ground.
Sanctioned at Rs 29 crore under the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) decongestion plan, the Sanat Nagar flyover was originally scheduled for completion in June 2024.
Officials said most of the structural work has been completed, with only finishing and safety checks pending.
Locals, meanwhile, hope this will finally be the last extension. “We just want to see it open for the public now,” said Javid Ahmad, a commuter from Hyderpora.
