Srinagar, June 10: J&K is awaiting approval from the central government for the Srinagar, Jammu metro rail projects.
As per the official document accessed by Greater Kashmir, the detailed project report prepared by the M/S RITES stands submitted to the government of India. “Approval/appraisal of the DPR along with funding for these projects is awaited from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India,” it reads.
The metro rail projects in Srinagar and Jammu cities are pegged to cost Rs 10,559 crore.
As per the officials, the railway consultancy firm RITES has submitted the final detailed project reports for the projects expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Once the projects are completed, Srinagar and Jammu will become the first two non-major cities in the country to have the rapid transport network functional.
As per the proposal, the light metro transit system is proposed to run 17 hours a day round the year in Jammu, whereas in Srinagar it will run 17 hours daily during summers and 14 hours daily for winters. “The metro rail lines will have only elevated corridors as the underground tunnels were not found feasible,” officials informed.
The elevated metro system will not only facilitate people but also have a positive impact on the economy and the quality of life, experts believe.
According to the DPRs, the metro coaches will be modern, lightweight and made from stainless steel and aluminium, with an air-conditioning system.
“. . . Jammu light rail system will have a 23-kilometre length with 22 stations between Bantalab and Bari Brahmana, whereas Srinagar light rail system will have a 25-kilometre length which includes 12.5-kilometre length from Indira Nagar to HMT Junction and 12.5-kilometer length from Hazuri Bagh to Osmanabad with 24 stations (12 stations on each corridor),” J&K government stated in a statement.