Srinagar, Jammu’s metrolite dream still waiting at signal

Srinagar, Feb 4: Nearly six years after the idea of a rapid urban rail system was first cleared at the central level, the proposed metrolite projects for Srinagar and Jammu continue to remain stalled, with the Jammu and Kashmir government informing the Legislative Assembly that approval from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is still awaited.

The issue was raised during Question Hour through a starred question (A Q No 492) by MLA Arvind Gupta, who sought details on the status of metro and light rail projects in both capital cities, including DPR formulation, funding, and implementation timelines.

In its written reply, the Housing and Urban Development Department said that in-principle approval for an elevated metrolite system for both Jammu and Srinagar was accorded by the Administrative Council on February 13, 2021.

Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for both cities were subsequently prepared and submitted to the Government of India.

As per the DPRs, the estimated cost of the Jammu metrolite project is Rs 4069.48 crore, while the Srinagar metrolite project has been pegged at Rs 4892.51 crore.

The DPRs have been forwarded to MoHUA for examination, but approval or refusal from the ministry is still awaited, the House was informed.

Senior officials said the Srinagar metrolite project, which was earlier expected to move into the construction phase in September 2024, has been delayed due to the absence of formal clearance from the Centre. Although a revised DPR prepared by RITES Ltd has been submitted, further preparatory steps, including consultations with implementation agencies such as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, cannot begin without MoHUAís approval.

The proposed Srinagar metrolite corridor is planned to span 25 km with 24 stations, covering two stretches from Indira Nagar to HMT Junction and from Hazuri Bagh to Osmanabad.  Jammu is planned to have a parallel 23 km metrolite corridor, taking the combined investment in the two projects close to Rs 9000 crore.

Officials said the elevated metrolite systems are designed to operate with lightweight, air-conditioned coaches and are expected to run for up to 17 hours a day in summer and 14 hours in winter.  Urban planners believe the projects could significantly ease traffic congestion in Srinagarís core areas like Lal Chowk and Residency Road, where peak-hour travel times often multiply. Despite having received clearance from the Public Investment Board of MoHUA earlier, the projects are yet to receive cabinet sanction, which is essential for tendering and execution.

Experts say that even after final approval, it would take at least four to five years for the first metrolite corridor to become operational. With the matter now formally taken up in the Assembly, attention has turned to whether Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government will be able to break the procedural deadlock and push the long-pending Srinagar and Jammu metrolite projects forward.