The Srinagar Ring Road Project, a four-lane semi-ring road, has achieved 65 percent completion in Phase-1 and is set to open by December 2025, officials said here today.
Officials told the that the project, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity, faced significant delays during its first three years, with only 9% of the work completed due to challenges, including issues with affected landowners. However, in the past two years, work has picked up pace. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) stated that 65 percent of Phase 1 and 8.5 percent of Phase 2 have now been completed.
Amrish Mankar, Project Director for NHAI, said that the project is progressing rapidly. “The project is now on track as all initial obstacles have been cleared. There is no funding or other issues, and we expect to complete it by December 2025,” he said.
Mankar added that work is expected to slow during winter as much of the workforce leaves due to cold conditions. “Currently, only one-fourth of the workforce remains, as the rest have left for winter,” he said.
The project, part of the Prime Minister’s Development Project (PMDP) for Jammu and Kashmir, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018. The 60.84-kilometer-long road is being built in two phases. Phase-1 involves a 42-km section connecting Galander to Narbal, while Phase-2 includes an 18.84-km stretch from Narbal to Ganderbal.
NHAI highlighted the progress of various construction components. Of the initially planned 177 culverts, 148 are now in scope, with 89 completed and 11 underway. Minor New Bridges (MNB) were reduced from 29 to 25, with 5 completed and 15 under construction. Major bridges increased from 1 to 3, all currently in progress.
Other key components include 16 Longitudinal Ventilation and Utility Passage (LVUP) units, with 8 completed. Additionally, 3 flyover-cum-interchange units are under active construction. Newly added high-performance concrete (HPC) units total 104, while an aqueduct introduced in the revised plans has been completed.
Officials remained optimistic that the road will transform Srinagar’s transport landscape, marking a major milestone in regional infrastructure development. “We are hopeful that the road will be operational by December next year. It will not only enhance the connectivity but also reduce the traffic congestion in the city, “Amrish Mankar said. (Daily Excelsior)
