When will J&K get Metro?

O P Sharma

opsharmajournalist@gmail.com

The main way out of the challenging and ever-growing menace of heavy road traffic in the highly populated Smart Cities of Jammu and Srinagar, both capitals of the Jammu and Kashmir UT, is the introduction of a fast-track Metro rail travel mode. The problem has been further compounded by the energy crisis, including a swift price hike and shortage of supply. This is the most urgent public need and a pressing demand for immediate action by both the Central and J&K Governments to introduce the Metro mode of public travel in this part of the country as well.

It may be pointed out that perhaps Jammu and Kashmir is the only major part of the country that is without this Metro transport system. Almost the entire political spectrum had held out election-eve promises to go in for the Metro-Lite mode in this part of the nation as well. Now, as the nation is faced with acute pressure on energy resources, the Metro system will be a preferred travel mode in the present context.

The Central Government had promised to launch this alternative transport system, but still no concrete visible work has been done on the ground so far.

Metro: Way Out

The Metro rail mode, both in Jammu and Srinagar cities, must be launched without any further delay for further streamlining and strengthening of the entire public transport system.

The general masses in the entire UT have been eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of this promise of a Metro mode of travel. The public is eagerly looking forward to this mode of transportation to meet the challenges of the public transport system. All the citizens of J&K UT are in favour of a more efficient, convenient, and modern Metro system in line with other States so that Jammu and Kashmir too comes up on the Metro map of India.

Recently, a historic moment was witnessed with the linking of the Kashmir Valley by the railway network, which is indeed a marvelous technical achievement intended to strengthen the bonds of unity and hearts.

It is reliably learnt that a Metro-Lite project for Jammu, which is a cheaper, smaller, and elevated version of a traditional Metro and quite suitable for a small city, has been prepared by RITES Ltd to reduce traffic congestion and improve public transport convenience.

Convenient, Speedy

To address traffic congestion in Jammu city, a multi-faceted approach involving infrastructure development, efficient traffic management, public awareness, and policy enforcement is needed. The quality of travel will become safer and speedier, enhance economic productivity, preserve the environment, conserve energy, and provide greater convenience for visiting tourists and pilgrims.

The collaboration between Government authorities, the private sector, and the general public is essential for achieving sustainable traffic management and providing high-speed movement in our cities. The Metro mode of travel is associated with high speed, convenience, comfort, security, affordability, and several other advantages.

Project Under Scrutiny

The Jammu Metro project, prepared by the Government with consultancy from RITES and approved by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for feasibility and financial viability, is now awaiting final approval.

As per available information, the J&K administration proposed the introduction of Metro links in Jammu and Srinagar cities on July 4, 2023. The proposal includes a 23-km Metro connectivity project in Jammu city for the much-needed convenience of commuters.

Both the Jammu and Srinagar Metro projects are MetroLite/Light Metro systems with detailed DPRs and have reportedly already cleared the Public Investment Board. They are now awaiting final Union Cabinet sanction and budget allocation.

When completed, J&K would be one of the first Union Territories to get a light Metro system in non-metro cities.

United Efforts Needed

Reportedly, the Jammu Metro project will be taken up in two separate phases. The first phase will consist of two lines: Bantalab-Satwari-Greater Kailash, with the main depot proposed in the Bantalab locality. The second phase will link Exhibition Ground with Udheywala and other locations in the City of Temples.

According to sources, RITES submitted the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Jammu and Srinagar cities to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and tendering will be initiated once the project receives final approval from the Union Cabinet. As of now, Metro service has not yet started in the J&K UT, and therefore it still has to appear on the Metro map of India, while Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, and several other cities already have extensive Metro networks. Will the Central Government and the J&K UT Administration put their heads together and take up this dream Metro project to ensure its expeditious completion?

(The author is a Jammu-based veteran journalist.)

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