Srinagar, Jul 07 (KNO): The much-awaited Srinagar Semi Ring Road project, envisioned as a major infrastructure initiative to ease traffic congestion and improve regional connectivity across Kashmir, is steadily moving forward, with the first phase expected to be completed by November this year. However, delays in land acquisition, compensation, and utility shifting continue to hamper progress on the remaining sections.
NHAI Project Director Srinagar Akash Deep Singh said the first phase, covering a 42.10-kilometre stretch from Galander in Pulwama district to Sarai Dangerpora in Bandipora, has reached its final stage. "We are confident of completing Phase I by November, provided the remaining land required for one Electricity Supply Transmission (EST) tower in Bandipora is made available. Only a few EST towers are pending, and land acquisition for one of them is yet to be completed by the district administration. Once the land is handed over, the remaining work can be finished within the planned timeline," Singh told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The first phase, being executed at an estimated cost of around Rs 2,920 crore, forms the backbone of the Semi Ring Road. Originally planned up to Narbal, the alignment was later extended further towards Bandipora, increasing both the project's length and strategic importance.
The Semi Ring Road begins from Galander on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and traverses through several important junctions before joining the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway near Narbal, then extending towards Sarai Dangerpora.
Officials said the majority of civil works have either been completed or are in the final stages. The pace of construction slowed over the past few months due to interruptions in the supply of bitumen, caused by disruptions in refinery supplies.
Work on Phase II, extending over 24.70 kilometres from Sarai Dangerpora to Wayul in Ganderbal district, has achieved nearly 50 per cent physical progress but is unlikely to meet its original deadline because significant portions of land required for construction are yet to be handed over.
Singh said Deputy Commissioners of both Ganderbal and Bandipora have been requested to resolve all pending land acquisition and compensation issues. The relocation of water supply pipelines in Ganderbal has emerged as another major challenge, though authorities said the process is nearing completion.
Phase-IIA, covering a 12.11-kilometre stretch between Pandach and Wayul, has also witnessed delays due to unresolved land acquisition and compensation issues. The package, estimated at Rs 828 crore, includes a 2.55-kilometre elevated corridor through Ganderbal town.
The proposed Phase III, which will connect Lasjan with Pandach through Hazratbal, is yet to receive the necessary approvals. The 24.60-kilometre corridor remains at the Detailed Project Report stage and has an estimated cost of nearly Rs 2,380 crore, including a dedicated airport connectivity corridor.
The Srinagar Semi Ring Road, being implemented under the Prime Minister's Development Package, will eventually span more than 85 kilometres, covering Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Ganderbal districts.
Designed as a four-lane highway with provision for future expansion to six lanes, the corridor is expected to substantially reduce travel time, improve freight movement, decongest Srinagar city, and provide a major boost to industrial growth, tourism, and commercial activities across Kashmir—(KNO)