By Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar: As the busy streets of Delhi enjoy a world-class metro network, Kashmir’s summer capital, Srinagar, continues to choke in never-ending traffic jams as much-awaited Srinagar Metro project remains stuck in bureaucratic red tape.
Despite the submission of a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth Rs 4893 crore to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the project awaits approval, leaving thousands of daily commuters helpless.
Earlier, proposed in the year 2017 to tackle the growing traffic congestion in Srinagar, the metro was proposed to revolutionize urban mobility with two corridors spanning 25 kilometers — from HMT Junction to Indira Nagar and Osmanabad to Hazoori Bagh.
However, seven years later, the project remains confined to bureaucratic files, with no consultation held with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) or any other agency for execution.
Why Can’t Kashmir Have What Delhi Does?
Frustrated commuters are now questioning the Centre’s silence on the project.“If Delhi can get a world-class metro, why can’t Srinagar? Are we being punished for being Kashmiri’s?” asked Fayaz Ahmad, a daily commuter.
Similarly, urban planners argue that the project is no longer a luxury but a necessity for Srinagar’s crumbling public transport system.
Is Politics Delaying the Metro?
Many political observers believe the delay is deliberate, reflecting the Centre’s indifference towards Kashmir’s development post the abrogation of Article 370.
In the meanwhile, as response to a starred question by National Conference leader Tanveer Sadiq in the J&K Legislative Assembly, the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) admitted that no timeline for the project’s completion can be set due to pending approval from the Centre.With traffic congestion worsening and fuel prices soaring, public anger is mounting against both the J&K administration and the Centre.
Until the approval comes, Srinagar’s dream of ‘a modern metro system’ remains buried in New Delhi’s files, while the city continues to struggle with never-ending traffic chaos.
