Srinagar, Aug 31: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has moved ahead with the proposed vehicular flyover in Srinagar despite objections from civil society groups, with concerns mounting over its potential impact on sports infrastructure, private properties and heritage Chinar trees.

The Public Works Department (PWD) has awarded the project for a Vehicular Overpass (VOP)/bridge/flyover from Convent Road (Joggers Park) to Maulana Azad Link Road via Shirwani Road, including a crossing over the Jhelum.
The project was tendered in May at an estimated cost of ₹114.70 crore. Chandigarh-based Singla Constructions Limited emerged as the lowest bidder at around ₹90 crore, with a stipulated completion period of 780 days.
The flyover is intended to ease congestion in central Srinagar. However, its proposed alignment has triggered concerns among environmental groups, sportspersons and urban planners.
A key point of contention is the J&K Sports Council complex at Polo View, which houses an Indoor Sports Hall and synthetic hockey, football and rugby turfs. Young sportspersons fear that construction activity and vehicular movement over the area could generate noise and disrupt training and competitions.
“We have been training and playing on the ground for the last several years. When a flyover comes over the ground, it will create noise pollution and impact our training and sports,” young footballers said.
A Sports Council official also expressed concern that the project could undermine facilities developed after years of effort, particularly when sporting infrastructure remains limited across the Union Territory.
Sports Council Secretary Nuzhat Gul, however, said she was not aware of the proposed flyover.
PWD Executive Engineer Nasir Amin said the sports grounds would not be affected, maintaining that the flyover pillars would come along the pathway between the football and rugby turfs.
Environmental concerns have also surfaced over the proposed alignment near the Floriculture Park, where mature Chinar and poplar trees could potentially be affected. Officials of the Floriculture Department said they had not been informed about any proposed tree cutting.
The project had earlier drawn opposition from the Environment Policy Group (EPG). Its Convenor Faiz Bakshi argued that the alignment could encroach upon playground space and affect private properties near the Bund.
Former Chief Town Planner of Kashmir Iftikar Hakim has also questioned the planning rationale, arguing that flyovers may merely shift congestion to downstream areas instead of providing a lasting solution.
The controversy has consequently expanded beyond traffic decongestion to urban planning, environmental protection and preservation of scarce sports infrastructure.
With construction expected to commence after completion of technical formalities, stakeholders are seeking greater clarity on the alignment, environmental safeguards, protection of sports facilities and possible tree felling before work begins.