Delays continue to shadow Srinagar Semi Ring Road

Srinagar, Jun 28: The first phase of the Srinagar Semi Ring Road is on track for completion by the end of the year after achieving nearly 87 percent physical progress, officials said. However, land acquisition and utility shifting continue to delay Phase-II and its sub-section Phase-IIA, while the proposed Phase-III remains at the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage. PHASE-I NEARING COMPLETION The 42.10-km Phase-I corridor from Galander in Pulwama to Sarai Dangerpora on the Srinagar-Sonawari-Bandipora road is being executed at an estimated cost of Rs 2920 crore. Originally planned to terminate at Narbal in Budgam, the corridor was later extended to Sarai Dangerpora, in Bandipora district increasing its length from 34.72 km to 42.10 km. According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the project has achieved nearly 87 percent physical progress and is expected to be completed by December. Originally scheduled for completion in November 2025, it was later rescheduled for this summer before disruptions in bitumen supplies during the recent US-Israel-Iran conflict pushed the deadline to the end of the year. NHAI Project Director, Srinagar, Akash Deep Singh said shortages of bitumen slowed construction after refinery supplies were disrupted. "A shortage of bitumen, the binding material used in asphalt, during the war affected the pace of work. Bitumen shipments from refineries arrive in cycles of around 29 days, which impacted construction," Singh told Greater Kashmir. He said only limited work remains, mainly a few culverts and bridges in Budgam and Bandipora, while most major junctions have either been completed or are nearing completion. Beginning at Galander Junction on NH-44, the corridor passes through Lasjan Crossing, Chadoora Intersection and Soibugh Link before reaching Narbal Interchange, where it links with the Srinagar-Baramulla-Gulmarg highway. It then continues to Sarai Dangerpora, completing the southern and western bypass of Srinagar. PHASE-II HITS LAND BOTTLENECKS Construction of the 24.70-km Phase-II corridor from Sarai Dangerpora to Wayul in Ganderbal has reached nearly 52 percent physical progress but is likely to miss its completion target of December, 2026 because of land acquisition bottlenecks. "We have achieved nearly 52 percent physical progress in Phase-II," NHAI Project Director Srinagar Akash Deep Singh said. Singh said acquisition of the remaining land continues to hold up work, while relocation of water pipelines in Ganderbal, another major bottleneck, is now nearing completion. He said acquisition proceedings are also under way in Bandipora, where part of the alignment will be constructed on an elevated structure. Construction of the Jhelum bridge at Sumbal, another key component of the project, is expected to begin in autumn after the river level recedes. "Work on the bridge can only be taken up when the river level comes down. We expect to start it in autumn," Singh said. Estimated to cost Rs 1184 crore, Phase-II was upgraded from its originally approved 18.84-km alignment to 24.70 km, adding a 6-km stretch besides additional bridges, improved geometric standards and other engineering enhancements. The corridor will pass through Sumbal-Mirgund Junction and Pandach Node before joining the Srinagar-Leh National Highway at Wayul Roundabout, improving connectivity to Bandipora, Ganderbal, Sonamarg and Ladakh while diverting through traffic away from Srinagar. PHASE-IIA SUB-PACKAGE AWAITS LAND, COMPENSATION The Rs 827.98-crore Phase-IIA special sub- package comprises a 12.11-km highway between Pandach and Wayul. Singh said pending land acquisition and compensation disbursement continue to delay execution of the package. The package includes a 2.55-km elevated corridor through Ganderbal town, one major bridge, three minor bridges, three realignments and 51 box culverts. Once completed, it is expected to ease congestion through Ganderbal town and improve connectivity towards Sonamarg and Ladakh. PHASE-III AWAITS APPROVAL The proposed 24.60-km Phase-III corridor from Lasjan to Pandach via Hazratbal remains at the DPR stage. Estimated at Rs 2,380 crore, the project includes a 6 km dedicated airport link, allowing airport-bound traffic to bypass Srinagar city while strengthening connectivity towards Ganderbal and Ladakh. "This project is still at the DPR stage and the estimated cost is pegged at Rs 2380 crore," Singh said. He said an Alignment Approval Committee (AAC) meeting has already been held to process the proposal for approval. PROJECT OVERVIEW The Srinagar Semi Ring Road is a flagship project under the Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP). Spread across six districts- Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar, Baramulla, Bandipora and Ganderbal-it is being implemented in four packages. The over 85-km greenfield corridor has been designed as a four-lane divided carriageway with provision for future expansion to six lanes. It features a 45-60 metre right of way, a wide central median, heavy-duty flexible pavement and Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) surfacing using Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) technology suited to Kashmir's climatic conditions. Once completed, the Semi Ring Road will provide a continuous high-speed bypass around Srinagar, easing congestion within the city while improving connectivity between the national highways leading to Jammu, Baramulla, Bandipora and Ladakh. The project is expected to reduce travel time, improve freight movement and support industrial, commercial, tourism and real estate development along the corridor.