J&K: Administration proposes metro lines for Srinagar, Jammu

As per a written reply submitted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair in Lok Sabha in December 2021, Srinagar and Jammu were among five cities for which respective governments had sought financial assistance from the Centre.

J&K Administration, Manoj Sinha, metro lines for Srinagar, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair, Jammu and Kashmir news, indian express, indian express news

J&K currently does not have a metro line and if cleared, it will be the first for the region and is expected to boost the public transport system of both cities. (Express Photo)

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The Jammu and Kashmir administration has proposed two metro lines for the region — one each in Srinagar and Jammu cities. “The proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for ministerial consultation,” J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha told The Indian Express.

J&K currently does not have a metro line and if cleared, it will be the first for the region and is expected to boost the public transport system of both cities.

“Since a metro line like Delhi will not be possible for J&K, a MetroLite has been proposed. I think there was some consultation on whether a MetroNeo should be approved for Srinagar and Jammu but I think a MetroLite is what we are looking at, for now,” Sinha said.

Under the proposal, the J&K administration has proposed a 25 km line in Srinagar and a 23 km line in Jammu.

As per a written reply submitted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair in Lok Sabha in December 2021, Srinagar and Jammu were among five cities for which respective governments had sought financial assistance from the Centre.

“MetroLite” is a light urban rail transit system with lesser capacity at much less cost. In addition to less capital cost, the operation and maintenance cost of Metrolite would also be less, making the system more viable, as per the Ministry.

The low capital cost of these new transit modes, MetroLite and MetroNeo, against the high-capacity metro rail is due to light civil structure, lesser axle load, smaller stations, low power rated electrical equipment, low operation and maintenance cost, etc. These systems can also be used as a feeder system to conventional metro rail.

Naveed Iqbal

Naveed Iqbal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, and reports from Jammu and Kashmir. With a career spanning over 15 years in frontline journalism, Naveed provides authoritative reporting on the region’s transition, governance, and the socio-political implications of national policies. Expertise Regional Specialization: Based in the Srinagar and New Delhi bureaus, Naveed has spent over a decade documenting the unique challenges of Jammu and Kashmir. Her reporting is distinguished by deep contextual knowledge of the region's post-Article 370, statehood debates, and local electoral politics. Key Coverage Beats: Her extensive body of work covers: Politics & Governance: Tracking the National Conference (NC), PDP, and BJP dynamics, including in-depth coverage of J&K’s first Assembly sessions and Rajya Sabha polls following the reorganization of the state. Internal Security & Justice: Providing rigorous reporting on counter-insurgency operations, terror module investigations, and judicial developments involving political detainees and constitutional rights. Education & Minority Affairs: Highlighting systemic issues such as quota rows in J&K, public service commission reforms, and the challenges faced by minority communities. ... Read More

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