The recent announcement by the Divisional Administration of Kashmir of intensifying efforts for making Phase-I of the Srinagar Ring Road motorable by end of December is something the UT should be genuinely jubilant about.
With the National Highways Authority of India having fixed its internal completion target for the 46 km long Galandar-Narbal stretch at end of December, it will be a massive relief.
For ages people making journeys from either south or north Kashmir have faced traffic snarls and delays.
With the completion of this road, many people commuting to and from Pulwama and Narbal will have a direct road to take, bypassing the heavily congested Srinagar city.
Similarly, those heading towards Gulmarg, Baramulla, Bandipora and Sonamarg will also find their travel relatively comfortable.
Moreover, the traffic congestion currently being faced by Srinagar commuters will also ease up a bit.
What is heartening is that the administration has taken a very serious view of the problem.
The ground survey by the officials of Divisional Administration along with the National Highways Authority of India, traffic and engineering departments has borne fruits with the authorities working out ways to tackle problem areas.
With the completion of land compensation and shifting of utility lines, many impediments on the path of progress have been removed and the ongoing jobs of transmission tower shifting is also being handled with care so that inconvenience to the locals is minimized.
The achievements till now in this challenging project are also worth mentioning.
143 culverts and 23 minor bridges, 3 major bridges, 18 light vehicular underpasses, 2 flyover-cum-interchanges, 6 overpasses, apart from several other works have been completed.
Phase-I is only the beginning. This is going to lead to the creation of an extensive ring road around Srinagar, connecting to Ganderbal and Pandach on one side and the National Institute of Fashion Technology and Srinagar airport on the other.
That these developments are being made keeping in mind the future expansion possibilities is a bonus.
Though the winter conditions may challenge the workers, the December end target is only an internal one, according to sources.
Overall, the progress made is an indication of the kind of efforts that can be made by the UT in matters of public importance if only there is a will to do so.
The people of Kashmir have waited long enough for this road and its completion will be a welcome sight.
