CHANDIGARH(Metro Rail News): The metro project for the Tricity of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali has received “in-principle” approval from the UT Administration along with the governments of Haryana and Punjab, despite opposition from MP Kirron Kher. The decision was made after a meeting at the UT Secretariat in Sector 9, Chandigarh, where the report on the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) prepared by RITES was presented to Haryana and Punjab. Approximately Rs 10,570 crore is the estimated cost of the proposed plan, which will be forwarded to the Centre for final approval. The cost for the project in the first phase will be Rs 1,795 crore, the second phase will cost Rs 6,898 crore, and the third phase will cost Rs 1,878 crore.
The first phase of the metro project will cover a total of 38 kilometers in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali, with an additional 10 kilometers to be completed in the second phase. Chandigarh will have 14.5 kilometers of the first phase completed entirely, while Panchkula will have 3.5 kilometers completed in the first phase and 4.5 kilometers completed in the second phase. Mohali will see 20 kilometers completed in the first phase and 5.5 kilometers completed in the second phase, making up a total of 48 kilometers for the entire project.
Additionally, Haryana Chief Minister Khattar proposed adding Pinjore-Kalka, PGIMER, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Vidhan Sabha, secretariat, and airport connectivity to Panchkula to the first phase of the project. Additionally, Haryana suggested including the area of Ghaggar river and new Panchkula extension in the expansion of the metro.
