Context:

• The Jammu and Kashmir Government has submitted Rs 10,599 crore worth proposal for Jammu and Srinagar MetroLite projects.
• The project is now being given final touch by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and is likely to be cleared by the Union Cabinet in the month of March.

Key Points:

• As per the project, Jammu will have 23 kilometers MetroLite while Srinagar will have 25 kilometers.
• Deadline for completion of both the MetroLites has been fixed as March 2026.
• According to Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has submitted the proposal to the MoHUA which, in turn, will refer it to the Union Cabinet for approval shortly.
• As per the proposal, Jammu will have 23 kilometers MetroLite from Bantalab to Bari Brahmana with 22 stations enroute while Srinagar will have 25 kilometers MetroLite in two corridors—each spanning over 12.5 kilometers.
• The first corridor will be from Indira Nagar to HMT junction while second corridor will be from Hazuri Bagh to Osmanabad. Srinagar will have 24 stations-12 on each corridor.
• The MetroLite will run in Jammu for 17 hours and in Kashmir for 14 hours. The MetroLite will have elevated corridors and not underground tunnels.
• The MetroLite projects in both Jammu and Srinagar are aimed at easing traffic congestion in the two cities and outskirts in the long run.
• The Central Government has given weightage to Jammu and Kashmir over many other States and Union Territories for approval of metro train projects.
• The funding pattern for the two projects has also been worked out. The process for execution of the project will start after formal approval by the Central Government.