Chandigarh Admin to submit DPR of much awaited tricity metro project to Central Govt

Chandigarh, India (Metro Rail Today): In a recent update that underscores the slow pace of progress on the much-anticipated Chandigarh Metro Rail Project, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has informed the Lok Sabha that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed metro network is yet to be officially submitted by the Chandigarh administration.

The clarification came in response to a query raised during the ongoing Parliament session, highlighting that while the tri-city metro project—proposed to connect Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula—has gained preliminary attention, the formalities essential to kick-start central-level evaluation and funding have not yet been completed.

The proposed metro network was conceptualized to address the rapid urbanization, increased vehicular congestion, and air pollution in the tri-city region. As per earlier announcements, the Chandigarh Metro Phase 1 is expected to span around 66 kilometers, offering modern mass rapid transit solutions across key administrative, educational, commercial, and residential zones in Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana.

However, the absence of an approved DPR continues to stall forward movement. Under current policy guidelines, the central government only considers financial and technical support for metro rail proposals after receiving a comprehensive DPR, which includes feasibility assessments, ridership projections, financial models, and state-level approvals.

This delay comes despite a previous in-principle clearance from the Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA) and repeated claims from state and UT-level authorities that the project would be expedited. With increasing population density in Mohali and Panchkula and surging daily vehicular traffic into Chandigarh, experts have warned that failure to implement a metro or equivalent mass transport system could exacerbate the region’s environmental and infrastructural stress.

Commenting on the situation, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, said, “Chandigarh is one of India’s most planned cities, yet it faces growing urban pressure that demands a modern, sustainable public transport system. Submitting the DPR should be an immediate priority for the UT administration and state governments involved. This is not just about connectivity—it’s about preserving Chandigarh’s livability for the future.”

As per norms, once the DPR is submitted, it undergoes evaluation by a central-level committee before seeking approvals from the Union Cabinet. The Centre typically supports up to 20% of the project cost, while states contribute another 20%, and the remainder is sourced via multilateral loans or public-private partnerships.

Chandigarh residents, urban planners, and public transport advocates have repeatedly called for greater urgency from the authorities, emphasizing that the tri-city region cannot afford further delays in implementing a modern metro system.

Unless the DPR is finalized and submitted soon, the Chandigarh Metro risks falling behind other Tier-2 cities like Bhopal, Indore, and Patna—where metro projects are already under construction or operational.