Mohd Rafi Malik via email
A couple of month back, I had planned to visit the Chandigarh City known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture in the twentieth century in India. Currently, the name of this city stands at the 6th rank in the sequence of India's cleanest cities. This union territory which is the capital of both Punjab as well as Haryana is a subtle and ideal definition of the word “city” In a culture that includes instances of both traditional Punjab as well as modernity, Chandigarh is a pretty town resembling a morning dream which is sure to flatter you with its innocence and pleasantness.
Since, I had never been to this tri-city of North region during my whole life of 35 years age. As usual what others do I did accordingly the same and day before leaving I searched on Google and tried to know about the city like how can I feel comfortable whether to board a bus or train importantly to know the rates for accommodation temporarily needed for two nights and three days. Anyhow, things and basic amenities appeared affordable.
I along with my better-half and my Sis-in-law decided to board a sleeper under an obligation as the train from Jammu railway station to tri-city departs only once in a week.
The sleepy journey ended earlier to dawn round about at half past five at bus stand Chandigarh with the gratification felt through sleeper bus and salutations of good morning among us.
Ascent cab, whose pilot's name was probably Gurmeet Singh shared some interesting facts of Chandigarh with us while the cab was waiting for its signal at a chowk near Elante mall, that the administrative orders in our twin capital city are being implemented in letter and spirit. He was telling that in Chandigarh no body / driver dare to cross the signal. If otherwise, the traffic department imposes the penalty in thousands upon him and cancellation / seizers of driving license for three months. After questioning, he told us, then what, if the traffic cops are not looking on the commuters or performing duty at chowks here in Chandigarh each and every traffic signal is in the surveillance of CCTV cameras. Whosoever violates the traffic rules, the Challans are automatically delivered at the residential addresses of the violators. While dropping us at the prescribed place he disclosed that the many cab service provider firms have been trying to introduce such service in Jammu also but local transporters are creating problems by way of their protests.
Anyhow, Srinagar and Jammu, because of being capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir State, will get metro trains within next four years which is beyond the expectations of every common man. But it is true that the government has recently announced the work for the light rail system metro, the first of its kind in the country, will begin soon. The estimated cost of the first phase of the metro for both the capital cities has been approved at Rs 8500 crore, to be funded through debt, state's equity and central assistance. The Governor's administration has approved the elevated corridor option for two light rail transit systems. M/s RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Services) is finalizing the DPRs for the project.
Rohit Kansal, principal secretary planning department of Jammu and Kashmir, being government's spokesperson has given a comprehensive statement in this regard. Concisely, Indra Nagar and Osmanabad in Bemina to Hazuri Bagh will be connected with the metro rail in the first phase. This will cover distance of 25 kms with 24 stations, besides, similar metro train in phase II, will be connected with corridors of Indra Nagar to Pampore Bus stand and Hazuri Bagh to Srinagar airport covering a distance of 17.5 Kms having 14 stations.
In Jammu city, the metro in the first phase will be from Bantalab to Greater Kailash and Udheywala to exhibition ground covering 23 kms with 23 stations. In second phase metro train will run from Greater Kailash to Bari Brahamana railway station and Exhibition Ground to Satwari Chowk to Jammu airport covering distance of 20.5 k ms with 17 stations, Kansal revealed. He said the light railway system, the first in India, will have low footprint, low noise, greater comfort, aesthetic appeal and blend with the surrounding landscape. The state government has also proposed two Mass Rapid Transit Corporations to undertake the preliminary steps to operationalize the city buses, within the city jurisdiction. These will be application based, air-conditioned, smart E-buses with automatic fare collection system. Both the capital cities will also get metropolitan regional development authorities to coordinate on and supervise all the projects.
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