Early Times Report
Srinagar, Aug 5: A Metro rail network for Srinagar and adjoining areas to overcome the problem of mounting traffic congestion in the city has been proposed by the Srinagar Development Authority. The proposal of "light metro and mini metro" was mooted at a meeting of the SDA here chaired by Minister for Urban Development Nawang Rigzin Jora to review the progress of Srinagar Master Plan, an official spokesman said.
The proposal will now go before Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet for approval. The proposed metro lines will span from Gallandar in Pulwama district on the South up to Narbal Chowk on the North in Budgam district and from Nowgam Railway Station up to Ganderbal, he said. Scarcity of quality and planned road networks besides the lack of organised parking facilities in Srinagar city has led to high degree of traffic congestion that is going to aggravate further in the coming time.
"To overcome the traffic and transportation problems in the city, SDA has, in the new Master Plan, proposed a network of light metro and mini metro besides suggesting a network of new roads, flyovers, grade-separators and subways for Srinagar," the spokesman said.
Out of the two proposed Metro lines, the one originating from Gallandar, the take-off point of the new expressway, after passing through Pampore, Sumarbugh, Panthachowk, Sonawar, Dalgate, Lal Chowk, Jehangir Chowk, Batamaloo, Bemina, JVC, Parimpora, Zainakote, Lawaypora, would end at Narbal Crossing, he said.
The second Metro line would operate from Nowgam Railway Station and after moving over to Bagh-e-Mehtab would pass through Chanapora, Natipora, Rambagh, Mehjoor Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, LD Hospital, Jehangir Chowk, Barbarshah, Baba Demb, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Hawal, Alamgari Bazaar, Bagh-e-Ali Mardan Khan, Nowshehra, SKIMS, Soura-Buchpora, Pandach and culminate at Ganderbal, he added. Jehangir Chowk would form the junction of the two Metro lines which would provide reliable connectivity to the core area of the city, the spokesman said.
Besides delineating a transportation plan, the Srinagar Master Plan has earmarked dedicated hubs for various specialized activities including education, information technology, industry, agro activities, tourism, handicrafts and health care, he said. |
