In the series of its endeavours to steer the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir ahead on the path of prosperity and growth besides taking it at par with other developed states and UTs, the present Government has taken numerous significant initiatives which are really praiseworthy. It is really a matter of fact that the unprecedented development spree initiated across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir was earlier never witnessed by the people during more than seven decades of independence. It is only after the historic decisions taken by the Government on August 5, 2019 regarding abrogation of articles 370 and 35A from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir that an effective and accountable working system was ensured in the newly created Union Territory so that all the development schemes and welfare policies of the Government are implemented in letter and spirit without any laxity. In the present hour, where on one hand several projects related to improve infrastructure are going on in an expeditious manner and are near completion, several new are in the pipeline for realizing the vision of the Government to make Union Territory a ‘Naya Jammu & Kashmir’. In this regard, as per the reports pouring in, the much-awaited project to start Metro services in the twin capital cities, under the name of MetroLite, is all set to be presented before the Union Cabinet for necessary approval as the same has been cleared by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MoHUA) after Public Investment Board (PIB). Pertinent to mention here that the project was likely to be approved by the Cabinet in February this year but it got delayed due to some official formalities and now, after completion of the same, it is expected that the same would be launched very soon. Further it has also been reported that the proposal to extend the metro services up to AIIMS Vijaypur has been halted for the time and it is proposed to be taken up in next phase as for now the metro line in Jammu will be made functional from Bantalab to Bari Brahmana with 22 stations on 23 Km length. To be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 10,599 crore, the MetroLite project will provide a great relief to the commuters besides helping in easing the smooth flow of traffic in both the capital cities.
