Chandigarh metro rail project gets in-principle approval; stakeholders suggest alternate routes
Chandigarh, March 16: Paving the way for a metro rail project, the comprehensive mobility plan for the tricity area has been given in-principle approval at a meeting of representatives of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh governments on Thursday.
While Haryana was represented by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, from Punjab, Cabinet minister Anmol Gagan Maan was present. The meeting was chaired by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit at the Secretariat in Chandigarh. UT Adviser Dharam Pal, and Chief Secretaries of both Punjab and Haryana were also present.
While Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal gave many suggestions for the metro project, Punjab sought 7 days to file its suggestions.
The meeting discussed the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) report that has proposed a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) spread across Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. The RITES report suggested that the first phase of the metro system would consist of three corridors in Chandigarh. Of the total 39.2 km proposed, 16 km may be underground, while the remaining elevated.
During the meeting, alternate routes for the Metro project were also suggested by stakeholders for seamless traffic management in the tricity, such as Housing Board Chowk to Panjab University and PGIMER and Chandigarh airport.
- With inputs from agencies
