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The Jammu and Kashmir administration has initiated phased road upgrades and corridor widening works across key stretches in downtown Srinagar to address traffic congestion and improve road capacity. Projects cover KZP Road, SMS Road, Devi Angan-Hawal Road and two major chowk corridors. Works include resurfacing, drainage correction, junction redesign and proposed widening up to 21 metres where feasible. Land acquisition, utility relocation and pending court cases remain challenges. Several components have secured funding approval, while surveys and DPR preparation are underway for others.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has begun phased road improvement and corridor development works in Srinagar's downtown areas to manage rising traffic congestion and improve movement, particularly for emergency vehicles. The decision comes amid increasing traffic load and commercial activity in the older parts of the city, where narrow road widths have led to frequent bottlenecks. Advertisement
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary informed the Assembly that resurfacing, strengthening of pavements, drainage correction and junction improvements are being taken up under regular Roads and Buildings grants as well as infrastructure development schemes. The works are being executed in phases to minimise disruption while maintaining road usability.
Key stretches identified for intervention include the Nowshera-Soura corridor, commonly known as KZP Road; the Saida Kadal-Ashaibagh section of SMS Road; and the Devi Angan-Hawal Road. In addition, corridor redesign and traffic improvement measures are being carried out at Alamgiri Bazar Chowk and Mirza Kamil Sahib Chowk, both of which witness heavy vehicular movement during peak hours.
Routine maintenance and periodic repairs are continuing alongside the larger upgrade plans to ensure safe commuting conditions. Authorities have completed preliminary assessments for widening on select stretches. Where technically feasible, carriageways are proposed to be widened up to 21 metres. However, the widening component depends heavily on land acquisition, removal of encroachments and shifting of utilities such as water and power lines. Pending court cases in certain sections have slowed acquisition proceedings.
On the KZP Road corridor, acquisition of structures near Nalbal Bridge has progressed, and further steps are expected after resolution of legal and compensation matters. For the 1.75 km widening proposal on SMS Road, surveys are underway and a Detailed Project Report will be finalised after completing feasibility formalities.
The preliminary project report for the 1.40 km Devi Angan-Hawal Road stretch has been prepared under the Central Road and Infrastructure Facility. The estimated cost stands at INR 31.25 crore, including INR 30 crore earmarked for land acquisition and utility shifting and INR 1.25 crore for development works. The project will move forward once approvals and funds are formally cleared.
Separate approvals have been secured for junction redesign projects. The Alamgiri Bazar Chowk corridor work has been sanctioned under the Union Territory Sector programme with an allocation of INR 3.35 crore, which includes acquisition of five structures and traffic redesign. The Mirza Kamil Sahib Chowk redesign has also been approved under the same programme at a cost of INR 1.35 crore.
These interventions follow earlier efforts by the administration to address congestion in Srinagar through selective road resurfacing and junction improvements. The current phase focuses more clearly on corridor-based planning and structural widening to improve long-term traffic flow in the downtown belt.
Source PTI
FAQ
1. What is the objective of the Srinagar road improvement projects?
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has launched phased road upgrades and corridor widening works in downtown Srinagar to reduce traffic congestion, improve road capacity, and facilitate smoother movement of vehicles, including emergency services. The initiative targets narrow and heavily congested stretches in the city's older commercial and residential areas to ensure safer and more efficient commuting.
2. Which key stretches and corridors are included in the project?
The project covers major roads and corridors such as KZP Road (Nowshera-Soura), SMS Road (Saida Kadal-Ashaibagh), and Devi Angan-Hawal Road. Additionally, two major chowk junctions-Alamgiri Bazar Chowk and Mirza Kamil Sahib Chowk are being redesigned to improve traffic flow and reduce peak-hour bottlenecks.
3. What types of works are being carried out under these projects?
Works include resurfacing and strengthening of pavements, drainage correction, junction redesign, and corridor widening where technically feasible. Certain stretches are proposed to be widened up to 21 metres, subject to land acquisition, removal of encroachments, and relocation of utilities such as water pipelines and power lines. Routine maintenance and periodic repairs continue alongside the upgrades.
4. How are land acquisition and utility relocation being handled?
The widening component depends on acquisition of private and commercial land, removal of encroachments, and shifting of utilities. In some areas, pending court cases have delayed acquisition proceedings. On KZP Road, for instance, structures near Nalbal Bridge are in the process of acquisition, while SMS Road and Devi Angan Hawal Road are undergoing surveys and DPR finalisation before development can commence.
5. How are the projects being funded and approved?
Several projects have already received funding approvals under programmes like the Central Road and Infrastructure Facility and the Union Territory Sector programme. For example, the Devi Angan-Hawal Road widening has an estimated cost of INR 31.25 crore, including INR 30 crore for land and utility work. Junction redesign projects at Alamgiri Bazar Chowk and Mirza Kamil Sahib Chowk are sanctioned at INR 3.35 crore and INR 1.35 crore, respectively.
6. What is the phased approach and expected impact of these upgrades?
The administration is executing works in phases to minimise disruption to commuters while maintaining road usability. The current phase emphasises corridor-based planning and structural widening, building on previous resurfacing and junction improvements. Once completed, the projects are expected to significantly reduce traffic bottlenecks, enhance long-term traffic flow, and improve urban mobility in downtown Srinagar.
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