Srinagar, Feb 07 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday informed the Assembly that substantial progress has been achieved on three major bridge projects in the Kashmir Valley, with construction advancing as per schedule and within the approved financial outlays.
In a written reply to a question by legislator Irshad Rasool Kar during the ongoing Budget Session, the government shared the physical and financial status of the Manz Seer Jagir Bridge, Seer Foot Bridge and Gogji Dajee Tarzoo Bridge.
Regarding the Manz Seer Jagir Bridge, the government said the project was approved at a cost of Rs 1,500 lakh under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), with Rs 1,269 lakh allotted for execution. An expenditure of Rs 539.35 lakh has been incurred so far.
It said abutments have been raised up to cap level, one pier has been completed and approach road work on one side is in progress. The government added that the bridge is expected to be completed within the stipulated timelines.
On the Seer Foot Bridge, the government said the project has an estimated cost of Rs 592.48 lakh, of which Rs 206 lakh worth of work has been executed. Piling work for abutments A1 and A2 and piers P1 and P4 has been completed, while the coffer dam for pier P2 is complete and work on pier P3 is underway.
The reply said the project, which was earlier being executed by the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC), has now been taken over by the Public Works (R&B) Department. Estimates for the remaining work are being prepared and tenders will be floated subject to availability of resources.
For the Gogji Dajee Tarzoo Bridge, the government said a net amount of Rs 275.40 lakh has been released to JKPCC under the Jammu and Kashmir Timely Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP). It said both abutments and their caps have been completed, fabrication of plate girders is 93 per cent complete and crate work has also been finished.
The government said the Gogji Dajee Tarzoo Bridge is likely to be completed in the next working season, subject to the availability of resources.
The reply said the progress reflects the administration’s focus on strengthening road connectivity and completing critical infrastructure projects in the Kashmir Valley.(KNS).
