Srinagar, Sep 15: In a move aimed at extending the city’s riverfront development into the historic downtown, the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) is set to upgrade the Jhelum riverfront stretch from Budshah Bridge to Habba Kadal Bridge.
The project, titled ‘Upgradation of Jhelum Riverfront downstream Budshah Bridge to Habba Kadal’, will have an estimated cost of Rs 17.8 crore. It will be funded under the Srinagar Metropolitan Region Development Authority (SMRDA) Capex Budget for 2026-27.
The development is planned on the lines of the Rajbagh Jhelum Riverfront, which was transformed into a public recreational space with pedestrian and cycling tracks, landscaped green spaces, seating areas, improved walkways and ramps, lighting and illumination, plantation and other public amenities. The Rajbagh stretch also featured Wi-Fi connectivity, selfie points and spaces for cafes and other recreational facilities.
The new project is expected to give a major facelift to the bund area between Budshah Bridge and Habba Kadal, while creating improved spaces for pedestrians, recreation and public interaction along the Jhelum.
An SSCL official said the objective was to extend the riverfront experience to another important part of the city and create a more attractive and functional public space along the river.
“The stretch will be developed on the lines of the Rajbagh riverfront, with emphasis on improving pedestrian movement, landscaping, public amenities, lighting and the overall aesthetics of the bund. The idea is to create a vibrant public space while retaining the character and heritage of the area,” the official said.
The Rajbagh riverfront, developed under the Srinagar Smart City project, was designed as a pedestrian and cycling promenade with parks, public plazas, seating spaces, toilets and high-quality lighting. SSCL also undertook undergrounding of utility cables in parts of the riverfront to create a cleaner, wire-free public space.
The earlier riverfront development also included extensive plantation and landscaping, upgraded roads, ramps and walkways, besides provisions for cafes, ice-cream parlours, a library and other recreational facilities.
The Budshah Bridge-Habba Kadal stretch is particularly significant as it passes through the historic core of Srinagar and connects areas that form an important part of the city’s cultural and architectural heritage.
An SSCL official said the proposed intervention would improve the appearance and usability of the bund while providing residents and visitors with better access to the riverfront.
“The tender for the project has been floated by SSCL to develop the Jhelum riverfront as a major public and recreational asset for Srinagar,” he said.
