WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The proposed Metrolite projects for Srinagar and Jammu have hit a roadblock at the Centre, with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) returning the proposals after raising concerns over the fully elevated design of the planned corridors.
The issue came up in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in response to a question by Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq regarding the feasibility of introducing a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) in Srinagar, particularly along densely populated and congested corridors.
The government stated that the feasibility of a Mass Rapid Transit System for Srinagar had been examined and that a Srinagar Metrolite Project, envisaged as a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, was proposed. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared, finalised and submitted to MoHUA for consideration.
According to the government, the Ministry examined the proposal and observed that the planned corridors of both the Srinagar and Jammu Metrolite projects were proposed to be fully elevated.
MoHUA noted that under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, LRT is generally an at-grade, rail-based mass transit system segregated from the main carriageway. The Ministry also observed that the cost advantage of Metrolite is likely to be achieved when such systems are planned at grade.
The Centre further observed that, for cities such as Srinagar and Jammu, e-buses could provide a more cost-effective public transport solution. Following these observations, the proposals for the Metrolite projects in both cities were returned by MoHUA.
The government, however, said that several locations identified under the proposed Srinagar MRTS are already covered by public transport services operated under Srinagar Smart City Limited, with optimal bus frequencies.
It said augmentation of additional buses has also been proposed under the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme. The J&K Budget 2026-27 also provides for 200 additional e-buses under the scheme, in addition to 200 e-buses already operational in Jammu and Srinagar.
The government acknowledged that traffic congestion in Srinagar has increased substantially in recent years due to population growth, rising vehicle ownership and commercial activity, coupled with inadequate road capacity.
Responding to a separate query on whether a fresh comprehensive feasibility study covering major corridors such as Srinagar Airport, Lal Chowk, Downtown, Soura, Zadibal, Nowhatta and Hazratbal would be undertaken, the government did not announce a new MRTS feasibility study. Instead, it pointed to the existing public transport coverage and proposed augmentation of bus services under PM e-Bus Sewa.
The response effectively shifts the immediate focus from a rail-based mass transit system to bus-based public transport expansion, even as the government recognises the growing congestion and mobility pressures in Srinagar.
