Srinagar Metro Project Stuck in Administrative Limbo

Srinagar, Mar 19: The much-anticipated Srinagar Metro Rail Project, which was scheduled to commence construction in September 2024, remains stalled in administrative processes, further prolonging the city's worsening traffic crisis.

The Rs 4,893 crore project, designed to alleviate Srinagar's notorious traffic congestion, awaits approval from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), according to information revealed in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

Responding to a starred question from MLA Tanveer Sadiq, the Housing and Urban Development Department confirmed that while the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by RITES Ltd has been submitted to the central ministry, the green signal has yet to be received.

Officials clarified that no consultations have been initiated with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) or other firms regarding implementation since the project remains at the approval stage.

The authorities also stated that setting a revised timeline for completion is not possible until approval is secured.

The Srinagar component of the proposed metro system would span 25 kilometers, while a parallel project in Jammu would cover 23 kilometers at a cost of Rs 3,590 crore. Together, these initiatives represent a significant infrastructure investment of nearly Rs 8,000 crore for the union territory.

The Public Investment Board (PIB) of MoHUA had previously approved the large-scale project. According to standard procedure, cabinet discussion and sanction would be the next steps to initiate this prestigious project, which officials have described as crucial for addressing the region's mobility challenges.

The proposed "Elevated Metrolite" system would make Srinagar and Jammu the first non-major cities in India to have functional rapid transit networks. According to the submitted plans, Srinagar's Light Rail System would cover 25 km with 24 stations across two corridors: a 12.5 km stretch from Indira Nagar to HMT Junction and another 12.5 km section from Hazuri Bagh to Osmanabad. The metro would operate 17 hours daily during summer and 14 hours in winter. Coaches would be modern, lightweight units constructed from stainless steel and aluminum, featuring air conditioning.

Meanwhile, Srinagar continues to grapple with severe traffic congestion that has reached crisis levels. Major arterial roads experience gridlock during peak hours, with journey times across the city often tripling. The situation is particularly acute in central areas such as Lal Chowk, Residency Road, and the routes connecting to the outskirts. Traffic police appear overwhelmed by the volume of vehicles, with insufficient infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of private cars. Public transportation remains inadequate, further contributing to the congestion crisis.

Local business owners report significant losses due to customers avoiding heavily congested areas, while emergency services struggle to navigate through traffic jams.

Though initial projections suggested the metro system would be operational by December 2026, the continued administrative delays have cast doubt on this timeline.

Urban planning experts note that even after approval, such major infrastructure projects typically require several years for completion.