CHANDIGARH (Metro Rail News): Rail India Technical & Economic Services (RITES) has submitted the Alignment Option Report (AOR) to the Chandigarh administration.
Phase 1 Corridors
The proposed 89-km-long Phase 1 of the Chandigarh Metro entails three corridors:
- Paraul (New Chandigarh)-Sarangpur-ISBT Panchkula to Panchkula Extension – 34 km
- Rock Garden to Zirakpur ISBT via Industrial Area and Airport- 42 km
- Grain Market Chowk, Sector 39, to Transport Chowk, Sector 26- 13 km
Among these, the 3rd Corridor along the Madhya Marg, running from Sector 26 to Sector 39, will be fully elevated. In contrast, the other two will be mostly elevated, with only a few sections underground.
Phase 2 Corridors
As per the submitted AOR, Phase 2 of the Chandigarh Metro will be around 25 Km divided into two corridors:
- Airport Chowk to Manakpur Kallar (5 km)
- ISBT Zirakpur to Pinjore (20 km)
Development work on Phase 2 will begin only once the development works on the corridors of Phase 1 end by 2034.
Funding
The overall estimated cost for the metro corridor is Rs 11,000 Crore, which would be acquired in the following manner:
Source | Fund (in %) |
Govt of Punjab & Haryana | 20 |
Central Government | 20 |
Lending | 60 |
Tricity Metro
Chandigarh Metro is referred to as Tricity Metro as it is a Tricity project. 34.5 km of corridor falls in Chandigarh, 29.5 km in Panchkula and 37 km in Mohali/New Chandigarh. The governing body for the Tricity Metro is the Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA), consisting of 23 members.
Approval
UMTA approved the project on July 18 with an extension of Phase 1 from 66 Km to 89 Km, while the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) nodded for the project in September this year. The DPR is expected to be submitted to the authorities by January 2024, while the work will begin in April 2024.
Need
Chandigarh urgently requires the establishment of a metro rail system due to various factors, including:
1. Elevated Traffic Volume: The substantial increase in vehicles on the roads necessitates an efficient public transportation alternative.
2. Population Surge: The rising population near Chandigarh underscores the need for a convenient and extensive metro network to accommodate the growing commuter demand.
3. Economic Prosperity and Investments: With escalating affluence and heightened investments in Chandigarh, the city benefits significantly from a well-structured metro system.
Anticipating the advent of a robust public transport system, the residents of Chandigarh eagerly await the implementation of a metro service in the city.
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