Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg inspected the 46-kilometre Phase-I stretch of the Srinagar Ring Road from Galandar to Narbal on September 26, reviewing construction progress and issues that could affect its scheduled completion. He was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama and Budgam, the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), traffic police officials, utility department engineers, forest officers, contractors and the NHAI advisor.

The inspection covered several locations along the alignment, including transmission tower shifting, height-clearance work, underpasses and road connectivity to artillery routes. Officials reported that 143 culverts, 23 minor bridges, three major bridges, 18 light vehicular underpasses, two flyover-cum-interchanges, six overpasses, 12 syphons and 107 highway pedestrian crossings had been completed.

Garg directed the Kashmir Power Transmission Corporation to carry out parallel work on new transmission towers to reduce power shutdowns during the shifting process. He also called for a larger workforce so that construction could remain aligned with the stipulated schedule. The Project Director, NHAI, was asked to pursue bridge load testing with the National Institute of Technology as a priority.

The commissioner also sought road connectivity to the National Institute of Fashion Technology and the airport through consultations with the Airport Authority, Air Force and Border Security Force. He instructed the departments concerned to resolve associated matters in advance through coordinated action. Officials said there were no pending issues involving land compensation or utility shifting, as the district administrations had completed those processes.

The Phase-I section is being expedited to become motorable by the end of December, according to the administration. Garg said local representatives and legislators had also sought early completion to improve public access. For connectivity to Budgam town, NHAI is processing an internal proposal intended to ensure that the town benefits from the ring road project.