In a first, Srinagar and Jammu, the two capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir state, will get metro trains within next four years. Jammu and Kashmir government headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik on Thursday announced the work for the light rail system metro, the first of its kind in the country, will begin soon.
Construction will soon commence on metro systems for the two capital cites of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Jammu and Srinagar as the State Administrative Council has given its approval for the elevated corridor option to be used for the projects, reports Business Standard.
“The SAC (state administrative council) in its meeting held on June 7 approved the elevated corridor option for the two light rail transit systems to be operationalised,” said Principal Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta said.
Gupta revealed that during the first phase, funding to the tune of Rs 8,500 crore would be required for the two metro systems. This funding will be obtained through debt, central assistance and state’s equity.
In Jammu city, the metro in the first phase will be from Bantalab to Greater Kailash and Udheywala to exhibition ground covering 23 kms with 23 stations.
In second phase metro train will run from Greater Kailash to Bari Brahamana railway station and Exhibition Ground to Satwari Chowk to Jammu airport covering distance of 20.5 k ms with 17 stations, Kansal revealed. He said the light railway system, the first in India, will have low footprint, low noise, greater comfort, aesthetic appeal and blend with the surrounding landscape.
In Srinagar, the metro in first phase will be from HMT, Indra Nagar and Osmanabad in Bemina to Hazuri Bagh will be connected with the metro rail in the first phase. This will cover the distance of 25 kms with 24 stations, he added.
In February this year, the state government had established two Mass Rapid Transit Corporations for the two capital cities. During the first phase, the Srinagar MRTC will create two corridors, one from HMT junction to Indra Nagar, and the second one connecting Osmanabad to Hazuribagh.
The Governor’s administration has approved the elevated corridor option for two light rail transit systems. M/s RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Services) is finalizing the DPRs for the project, Rohit Kansal, principal secretary planning department of Jammu and Kashmir said at a press conference.
