MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 6 AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider on Wednesday warned the authorities to avoid impediments to the smooth execution and completion of Naluchi bridge and west bank bypass projects in the state capital.

Designed by Japanese organisations, the bridge would ease the ever rising traffic congestion in Muzaffarabad's central part by connecting Naluchi and Chattar neighbourhoods on the right and left banks of River Jhelum, respectively.

The project comprises construction of the 246-metre-long bridge and a four-km-long western bypass at a total cost of Rs2,700 million. It is estimated to be completed by 2012. The detailed designing and feasibility of the bridge and bypass was conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) as a gift to the earthquake-stricken people of Muzaffarabad whereas the construction work would be carried out from a soft loan to the tune of Rs1.7 billion by Japan Bank of International Construction (JBIC).

The earthquake resistant bridge would be 84 metres above the river level and hence also invulnerable to floods, according to officials.

The bypass would include three interchanges and three bridges - one of them measuring 60 metres and the remaining two 30 metres each.

At a briefing on the project site, the prime minister was told that a workshop, labour camp, laboratory, batching plant, tower crane and offices of the construction company had been established.