SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Saturday directed officials to remove key bottlenecks delaying the Srinagar Ring Road Phase-II and Phase-IIA projects, setting deadlines for land handover, demolition of obstructing structures and other pending works to accelerate execution.
Chairing a review meeting attended by officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), district administration, Traffic Police and line departments, Garg took stock of the hurdles affecting progress on the ambitious road project.
NHAI officials briefed the meeting on issues related to land acquisition, compensation, demolition of government and private structures, utility shifting, pending court cases and tree felling along the project alignment.
Seeking faster progress, the Divisional Commissioner directed the Ganderbal administration to constitute a joint team comprising the ADC, Tehsildar, NHAI officials and the contractor for handing over possession of acquired land to the executing agency by Tuesday.
He also asked NHAI to immediately take possession of greenfield land parcels where no disputes or impediments exist.
To eliminate project bottlenecks, Garg directed officials to complete documentation of private structures and remove all such obstructions by Saturday, saying delays caused by pending structures must be addressed on priority.
The Divisional Commissioner also ordered phased felling of Chinar and walnut trees falling within the road corridor in accordance with prescribed procedures.
Taking note of damage caused by movement of heavy construction vehicles, he instructed NHAI to undertake immediate repairs and maintenance of existing roads in Ganderbal affected during project execution.
The directions come as the administration seeks to expedite work on the Srinagar Ring Road, a key infrastructure project aimed at improving regional connectivity and easing traffic congestion in and around the city.
