Jammu, 31 March (H.S.): The Government of India is currently reviewing proposals for Metrolite and Light Metro projects in Jammu and Srinagar, aiming to enhance the cities’ transportation infrastructure.

This was stated by Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo in the Legislative Assembly today while replying to a question of Legislator Mohan Lal, regarding the matter, on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

The Minister informed that in Jammu city, comprehensive ground surveys, traffic studies, feasibility analysis and DPR preparation has been completed through M/s RITES Limited. She added that the DPR included alignment planning, ridership projections (2.84 lakh daily ridership by 2035), cost estimates, land requirements (29.58 hectare permanent and 1.50 hectare temporary), environmental and seismic design considerations besides financial structuring.

It was also apprised that the Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) has been assessed at 18.92%. The current proposal is confined to the Jammu urban corridor from Bantalab to Bari Brahmana covering 23 km with 22 stations, she said.

It was told that at present no proposal is under consideration for extending the Metrolite corridor to Akhnoor town and any future expansion would be subject to separate feasibility assessment and approval of the Government of India.

Regarding Srinagar city, the Minister said that detailed topographical surveys, traffic and ridership assessments, engineering feasibility studies, financial and economic analyses and alignment planning have been undertaken through M/s RITES Ltd.

She added that DPR for both the projects has been finalized and submitted to the Government of India for appraisal.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar