Jammu, March 31 The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said that the Centre is currently reviewing proposals for metro projects in the twin capitals, Jammu and Srinagar, with the aim of strengthening urban transport infrastructure in both cities.
Responding to a question on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Legislative Assembly, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said that the detailed project report (DPR) for the two projects has been completed by RITES Ltd.
The question was raised by BJP legislator Mohan Lal.
In Jammu city, Itoo said that a comprehensive ground survey, traffic studies, feasibility analysis and DPR preparation were carried out. The DPR included alignment planning, ridership projections (2.84 lakh daily ridership by 2035), cost estimates, land requirements (29.58 hectares permanent and 1.50 hectares temporary), environmental and seismic design considerations besides financial structuring.
It was also informed that the Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) has been assessed at 18.92 per cent, the minister said.
Itoo said that the current proposal is limited to the Jammu urban corridor from Bantalab to Bari Brahmana, covering 23 km with 22 stations.
Currently, 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 from the Government of India, she said.
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 RITES Ltd.
The DPR for both the projects has been finalized and submitted to the Centre for appraisal, she said.