Metrolite for J&K

The trial run for Jammu, Srinagar Metrolite is likely to be conducted next year as the final Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.Notably, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri had also hinted during his Jammu visit last month as a part of public outreach programme that the DPR for metro rail is ready and the project will soon be approved.After the Union Ministry nods for the DPR, the work for metrolite will begin in twin capital cities Jammu and Srinagar of the Union Territory. The trial run is expected to begin next year, adding, “the metro rail was supposed to run earlier on the road having so many tunnels and other hiccups, which was not found feasible and the fresh DPR was prepared.Based upon the conditions of the city and the master plan, now instead of metro rail, metrolite will chug in Jammu and Srinagar cities for which rail line is to be laid on flyovers under construction on the identified routes of the transport.It will be a Rs 7942 crore project. In Jammu 23-kms line will be laid worth Rs 3593 crore and in Srinagar 25-kms worth Rs 4352 crore.Jammu Light Rail System will have a 23-kilometer length with 22 stations between Bantalab and Bari Brahmana; whereas Srinagar Light Rail System will have a 25-kilometer length which included 12.5-kilometer 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).The deadline fixed for the completion of both the projects is by the end of 2023 and as per the DPR prepared, the light metro transit system in Jammu and Srinagar will be metro light.The Metro Light System coaches will be equipped with modern, light and air-conditioned systems. The Light Metro in Jammu will have a working capacity of 17 hours a day while the Srinagar Light Metro will operate for 17 hours a day during summer and 14 hours in winter.The elevated Metro Rail System will not only facilitate the people but also have a positive impact on the economy and quality of life and the Metro Project for the two cities will be cost-effective and a leap towards sustainable public transport.