Lt Governors’ ambitious MetroLite project to tackle traffic woes in twin cities

Mudassir Ahmad

Srinagar July 31: To reduce the traffic congestion in Srinagar and Jammu, the twin cities are expected to have a metro rail network in place within the next two years with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha personally taking keen interest in turning the dream into reality.

The move is aimed at boosting the public transport system and economic activities in the region.

As per the official details, the Detailed Project Report for the light metro rail transit system for Srinagar and Jammu cities has been finalized and submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The cost of the project will be Rs 7942 crore.

The Jammu light rail system would have a 23 km length with 22 stations between Bantalab and Bari Brahmana.

The Srinagar light rail system would have a 25 km length that includes a 12.5 km length from Indira Nagar to HMT junction and a 12.5 km length from Hazuri Bagh to Osmanabad with 24 stations – 12 stations on each corridor.

Elevated metrolite has been proposed for the cities of Srinagar for 25 km at Rs 4352 crore and Jammu for 23 km at Rs 3590 crore to provide for “best-in-class” mobility in terms of safe, reliable, convenient and sustainable public transport, sources say.

This development comes as a significant step towards enhancing the public transport system in the region.

With the aim of boosting connectivity and convenience for commuters, the J&K Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has expressed the administration's focus on implementing the MetroLite system due to its cost-effectiveness and viability.

“The Srinagar and Jammu Metro projects are expected to ease the traffic congestion in the cities, providing a safe and efficient mode of transportation for the citizens of Srinagar and Jammu,” a senior official said.

The elevated light metro rail system in Srinagar and Jammu is expected to be rolled out in 2023-24 and is likely to be completed before 2026, the official added.

Earlier, the MoHUA researched that the passengers per hour per direction feasibility of the light rail metro system given the economic viability.

Following this, RITES Ltd shared a revised DPR and recommended metrolite instead of the light rail metro, costing Rs 7942 crore.

After completion, Srinagar and Jammu would become the first two non-major cities in India to have a functional rapid transport network.

As per the given report, Jammu light metro would operate 17 hours a day round the year, while Srinagar Light Metro would run 17 hours daily during summers but 14 hours during winters.

The metro rail lines would have only elevated corridors, as the underground tunnels were not found to be feasible.

As per the DPRs, the coaches of the metrolite system would be modern, lightweight, and made from stainless steel and aluminum with an air-conditioning system.

In February 2020, the Union Territory’s Administrative Council approved the appointment of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Phase 1 of the project. The DMRC has been tasked with appraising and approving the DPR for Phase 1 of the project and for exploring possible external funding for the project.

MetroLite is a light urban rail transit system that involves reduced costs and lower capacity as compared to traditional metro rail systems. Lower capital expenditure; reduced operation and maintenance costs are some of the advantages of MetroLite, making it a more viable option for the region.

This system can also serve as a feeder system to the conventional metro rail system. Its light civil structure, lower power requirements, smaller stations, and lower operation contribute to the cost-effectiveness of MetroLite.

         Infrastructural push in Jammu and Kashmir has been the Central government’s key agenda for the last few years.

Previously, during her J&K’s Budget address, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had also announced metro projects for the region. “Elevated light metro rail is expected to be rolled out in both the capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu during 2023–2024, which will help commuters in both the capital cities and also help in traffic decongestion,” she said.