Elevated Light Rail System for twin capital cities: DPR approved for being sent to GoI for appraisal, funding

Jammu: The Administrative Council (AC) which met under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, G C Murmu approved the proposal of the Housing and Urban Development Department to set up Elevated Light Rail System in both the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
For inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth process, an efficient urban transport system including Mass Rapid Transportation System (MRTS) is essential. Keeping this objective in view, Elevated Light Rail Systems have been conceived for Srinagar and Jammu cities to provide “best-in-class” mobility in terms of safe, reliable, convenient, cost effective and sustainable public transport system. This will not only facilitate easy and quick movement of people but also have a positive impact on the economy and quality of life in these cities.
The Light Rail Transit System (LRTS) in Jammu will have one corridor from Bantalab to Bari Brahmana with a total length of 23 kilometers. The LRTS in Srinagar will have two corridors, one from Indira Nagar to HMT Junction and second from Usmanabad to Hazuri Bagh, with a total length of 25 kilometers. The capital cost of the project, at current prices, including land, R&R and taxes is estimated to be Rs 4825 crore for Jammu LRTS and Rs 5734 crore for Srinagar LRTS.
The Housing and Urban Development Department has prepared the final DPRs. The Administrative Council authorized the Housing and Urban Development Department to submit the DPRs of the proposals to Government of India, for appraisal and funding including external funding. The project has a completion time of four years and is expected to be completed by December, 2024. The expected ridership of this light rail has been estimated to be 2-2.6 lakh by 2024 which is expected to increase upto 5.42 lakh by 2044 in each city.
The Housing & Urban Development Department will notify the State/Government lands within 500 meters on either side of the corridor and reserve the same for development purposes.
The Administrative Council has also approved in principle the engagement of DMRC for handholding the MRTCs for appraisal and approval of the DPRs by Government of India and for any possible external funding.