JAMMU & SRINAGAR (Metro Rail News): To relieve the public transport between two cities of Jammu and Srinagar, the Jammu & Kashmir government has confirmed the two light metro rail projects in the state on 6th February 2020.
A meeting led by Lieutenant Governor, GC Murmu, the Administrative Council confirmed the proposal of the Housing and Urban Development Department to make elevated Light Rail System in both of the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
During a meeting after having a detailed discussion, it was considered that an efficient local public transport system including Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) is important for an inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth method. To complete this target, elevated Light Rail Systems have been conceived for Srinagar and Jammu cities to provide superior mobility in terms of security, credible, cost-effective, useful and sustainable public transport systems. The elevated light metro rail system will not only facilitate easy and quick movement of people but also have a positive impact on the economy and quality of life in these cities.
The Light Rail Transit System in Jammu will have its one corridor from Bantalab to Bari Brahmana with an entire length of 23 kilometres whereas in Srinagar it will have two corridors, the first one is from Indira Nagar to HMT Junction and the second is from Usmanabad to Hazuri Bagh, with an entire length of 25 kilometres. The investment cost of the project, at current prices, including R&R, land and taxes are supposed to be Rs 4,825 crore for Jammu Light Metro and Rs 5,734 crore for Srinagar Light Metro.
The Railway consultancy firm RITES Limited has newly submitted the final project detail reports to the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) for both cities. The Administrative Council has authorized HUDD to submit both DPRs to Central Government for appraisal and funding including outer funding.
As per the DPRs, the project has an end time of four years and is supposed to be completed by December 2024. The expected ridership of this Jammu & Srinagar light metro rail has been estimated to be 2.6 lakh by 2024 which is supposed to increase up to 5.42 lakh by 2044 in each city.
After receiving approval from the Centre, the Housing & Urban Development Department (HUDD) will notify the Govt lands within 500 meters on each side of the corridor and reserve the equivalent for development purposes.
During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor has also confirmed in principle the engagement of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for handholding the MRTCs for appraisal and approval of the DPRs by the Central Govt and for any possible external funding.
