Dy CM Surinder Choudhary conducts extensive tour of Srinagar, stresses on preserving city’s heritage character
SRINAGAR,: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today conducted an extensive tour of Srinagar city to review the progress of ongoing development projects and assess key infrastructural sites.
During the visit, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected the Government College of Education, Government College for Women, sites of the proposed Barbar Shah Bridge, Old Habba Kadal Bridge, and Padshahi Bagh Road. He was accompanied by MLA Habba Kadal, Shamim Firdous, MLA Lal Chowk, Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed, and senior officials from concerned departments.
At the outset, the Deputy CM visited the two colleges and inspected the pace and quality of ongoing works. He directed the executing agencies to ensure timely completion of all pending projects while strictly adhering to quality standards. During the visit, he also interacted with students, faculty, and staff members, emphasizing the government’s focus on improving educational infrastructure.
Inspecting the site of the proposed Barbar Shah Bridge, to be constructed from Rata Rani Nai Sarak to Bund Exchange Road, the Deputy CM was informed that the bridge — with a 100-meter span and an estimated civil cost of ₹15.25 crore — will feature a two-lane plate girder structure, a 7.5-meter carriageway, and 1.5-meter footpaths on both sides.
Once completed, the bridge will serve as a vital link connecting Nai Sarak Barbar Shah with M.A. Road via Exchange Road, significantly easing traffic congestion and benefiting over five lakh residents in the area. The Deputy CM reviewed the project proposal in detail and directed the R&B Division Srinagar to finalize the Detailed Project Report (DPR), factoring in utility shifting, land acquisition, and technical feasibility.
At Habba Kadal, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected the Old Habba Kadal Bridge to assess its motorability. He instructed the R&B Division Karan Nagar to immediately repair the damaged decking and conduct a comprehensive structural safety assessment, especially after the recent floods.
Later, at Padshahi Bagh, discussions were held to identify and prioritize developmental works to be executed in the coming days. The Deputy CM also interacted with local residents, community elders, and traders’ representatives, assuring them that all developmental initiatives would be undertaken with due regard to the city’s rich heritage character while providing modern civic amenities.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to timely and quality infrastructure development, the Deputy Chief Minister directed concerned departments to remove bottlenecks, maintain close supervision over execution, and ensure that all projects are completed within stipulated timelines. He emphasized that development in Srinagar must blend modern progress with the preservation of its historic and cultural essence.
