Srinagar, March 13 -- The bidding amount of the project was approximately Rs 42 crores approx. which was allotted in 2023 at a cost of Rs 32 crores. The locals, however, say the project has affected their business and livelihood.

"Every day, I spend an extra 40 minutes stuck in traffic at Sanat Nagar Chowk. The diversion was supposed to ease movement, but it has only made things worse," said Mohammad Ashraf Dar, a local businessman. "Why couldn't they plan an alternative route that doesn't choke residential colonies?"

Another commuter, Zahoor Ahmad Wani, who travels from Rangreth to Jawahar Nagar daily, echoed the concerns. "The authorities claim this is a temporary inconvenience, but it looks like a recipe for long-term disaster. The s...