Title - Metro network proposed for Srinagar

Srinagar:
The Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) has proposed laying of a Metro network for Srinagar to overcome the problem of traffic congestion in the city.The Metro lines have been proposed from Gallandar in the south to Narbal Chowk in the north and from Nowgam Railway Station to Ganderbal on the northeast.As per an official statement, the proposal was put forward during a high-level meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Minister for Urban Development & Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora to review the progress of Srinagar Master Plan.“In the meeting, it was informed that the scarcity of quality and planned road networks and lack of organised parking facilities in Srinagar led to traffic congestion, which would aggravate further in the coming time. To overcome the traffic and transportation problems in the city, the 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 statement read.The proposed Metro line from Gallandar, once set up, would pass through Pampore, Sumarbugh, Panthachowk, Sonawar, Dalgate, Lal Chowk, Jehangir Chowk, Batamaloo, Bemina, JVC, Parimpora, Zainakote and Lawaypora before culminating at Narbal Crossing.

The other Metro line will originate at the Nowgam railway station and after moving over to Bagh-e-Mehtab, it 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 to culminate at Ganderbal.

As per the proposal, Jehangir Chowk will be the junction of the two Metro lines, which will provide reliable connectivity to the core area of the city.

It was informed that before being put in the public domain, the draft master plan would be throughly reviewed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Pertinently, the technical committee has already put forth its suggestions on the master plan, which stand incorporated in the draft land use plan.

Housing and Urban Development Department Commissioner Secretary Jeet Lal Gupta, SDA vice-chairman Mohammad Shafi Rather and Lakes and Waterways Development Authority vice-chairman Irfan Yasin were among those present in the meeting.

The SDA board, in a landmark decision last month, approved the extension of the greater Srinagar local area from 417 square km to 757 square km.

The proposal

The Metro line from Gallandar will pass through Pampore, Sumarbugh, Panthachowk, Sonawar, Dalgate, Lal Chowk, Jehangir Chowk, Batamaloo, Bemina, JVC, Parimpora, Zainakote and Lawaypora before culminating at Narbal Crossing.
The other Metro line from the Nowgam railway station and would pass through Bagh-e-Mehtab, 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 to culminate at Ganderbal.
Jehangir Chowk will be the junction of the two Metro lines.