The much-awaited Srinagar Metro Project, aimed at easing urban congestion and improving infrastructure in Srinagar city, remains delayed as it awaits approval from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India.
In response to a starred question tabled by Hon’ble MLA Tanveer Sadiq in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the Housing and Urban Development Department revealed that the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth Rs 4893 crore, prepared by M/s RITES Ltd., has been submitted to the central ministry for approval. However, the project is yet to receive the green signal.
The government clarified that no steps have been taken so far to hold consultations with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) or any other firm for the execution and implementation of the project, as it remains stuck at the approval stage.
Additionally, the authorities stated that due to the pending approval, it is not possible to set a revised timeline for the project's completion at this stage.
Pertinently, the Srinagar Metro Project is seen as crucial for addressing the growing traffic congestion and urban pressure in the city. However, the delay in its approval has raised concerns among residents and stakeholders about the timely execution of this significant infrastructure initiative.
It is worth mentioning that the idea of a metro rail project for Srinagar was first proposed in 2017 to address the increasing traffic congestion and provide an efficient transportation system for the city.
The project was initially estimated to cost Rs 4893 crore and was to be executed in two phases, covering a total distance of 25 km with two corridors—one from HMT Junction to Indira Nagar and another from Osmanabad to Hazuri Bagh.
