Srinagar, Sep 22 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government has informed the Legislative Assembly that the Bijbehara Beautification Project, allotted in October 2025 with an estimated completion period of two years, has not been abandoned, with around 700 metres of the proposed corridor already completed.
In a written reply to a question raised in the House, the government, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that further progress on the project has been affected by the requirement to shift utilities belonging to departments including Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Power Development Department (PDD).
The government said that once the utilities are shifted by the concerned departments and the required corridor is made available, the remaining works would be completed within the stipulated timeframe under the terms of the contract.
The response comes amid concerns over the pace of the beautification work in Bijbehara, which was initiated with the objective of improving the appearance and infrastructure along the old National Highway corridor.
Gantilipora-Takibal bridge completed, approaches face land-related hurdle
On the status of the Gantilipora-Takibal bridge towards Zirpora, the government said the bridge was originally approved at an estimated cost of Rs 94.66 lakh, with its approaches proposed through open-trench excavation. However, following a soil investigation at the site, the foundation design was changed to a pile foundation. The height of the bridge was also raised in accordance with the 2014 High Flood Level (HFL).
The government said the main bridge has since been completed, while the approaches could not be executed under the original scope of work.
Subsequently, the construction of the approaches was taken up by the department in December 2025 at an estimated cost of Rs 95 lakh.
According to the government, the approach on one side has been substantially completed, while progress on the other side has remained slow as the land has been demarcated as private/property land by the Revenue Authorities.
The government said the land-related issue is currently affecting the pace of work on the remaining approach.
Wopzan-Hapat Khut bridge opened to traffic
Regarding the Wopzan-Hapat Khut Bridge, the government clarified that the work was taken up under the UT Sector during the financial year 2025-26 at an estimated cost of Rs 40 lakh.
The bridge has been completed and was opened to traffic from September 1, 2026.
Govt says ropeway bridge movement is normal
Responding to concerns over the recently inaugurated suspension footbridge connecting Dara Shikoh Garden and Padshahi Bagh, particularly regarding its movement when pedestrians walk over it, the government said such movement is a normal phenomenon in cable-supported suspension footbridges.
It explained that pedestrians impose dynamic loads while walking, rather than a completely static load, causing slight deformation in the main cables and suspenders.
According to the government, the resulting movement or vibration is associated with the flexibility of the structural system.
The government further stated that the aforementioned bridges had been inspected and verified and that no apparent technical deficiency had been observed.
The response also addressed concerns over the structural safety of the ropeway bridge, stating that its observed movement was consistent with the behaviour expected from a suspension footbridge.
No separate technical committee indicated
The government response did not indicate the constitution of a separate Technical Committee to examine the bridges collectively or fix responsibility for any lapses.
Instead, it stated that the bridges had already been inspected and verified, with no apparent technical deficiency found—(KNO)