Lt Guv inaugurates revamped Old Habba Kadal Bridge in Srinagar

jj correspondent

Srinagar, Jan 16: J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the revamped Old Habba Kadal Bridge on the River Jhelum in Srinagar’s old city on Tuesday.
The Lt Governor congratulated Srinagar Smart City Limited and the people on the restoration of the historic Old Habba Kadal Bridge into a pedestrian corridor and state-of-the-art public space.
He said the amenities and vibrant and creative spaces will improve the quality of life in the city.
Speaking to reporters after the inauguration, Sinha said Srinagar has emerged as the model of urban transformation.
“Srinagar’s urban transformation is now the talk of the country,” he said.
Srinagar Smart City Limited completed an extensive restoration of Old Habba Kadal, which included structural retrofitting, new wooden decking, heritage-style wooden gazebos and kiosks, restoration of traditional style balustrades and grillwork, laying and installation of utility ducts, stone pitching and re-construction of the Ghat on the River Jhelum, entry plazas and gates, improvement of the façade of adjacent buildings, lighting, and illumination.
The restored bridge will serve as a vibrant social hotspot, offering a welcoming space for community interaction in the lively neighbourhood of Shehr-e-Khaas.
The Lt Governor also laid the foundation stone of Jhelum Riverfront Phase-II from Downstream Budshah Bridge to Chattabal Weir for Rs 17.82 crore.
The Jhelum Riverfront Phase-II project has been envisioned to enhance the quality of the Jhelum Riverfront and restore the city’s linkage with the river.
The project under Phase II includes the restoration of 24 ghats in Shehr-e-Khaas, the stabilisation of embankments, the stone pitching of bunds, the improvement of access streets to ghats, ghat steps and surface improvements, ramp access at water transport ghats, improved illumination, guard rails and supports, jettys, boat charging points, antiskid paving, and seating spaces, an official spokesman said. UNI