Chandigarh needs full scale Metro Rail Systems, Metrolite is not feasible

Chandigarh, India (Metro Rail Today): In a decisive move, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has dismissed the possibility of a "Metrolite" for Chandigarh, underlining that the metro remains the sole mass rapid transit system (MRTS) option under consideration for the city. According to ministry officials, if the central government approves the metro project for Chandigarh, the initial operational phase is anticipated to feature the metro running with only two coaches.

Metrolite, described as a light urban rail transit system resembling the metro but more compact and cost-effective, comes at nearly a third of the price of a full-fledged metro rail. Characterized by coaches with a low floor height ranging from 300 to 350mm and a minimum length of 33m, Metrolite is designed to accommodate lower passenger capacity while offering a more budget-friendly alternative to a traditional metro line.

As the city explores its mass transit options, the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) has been assigned the task of preparing an Alternative Analysis Report (AAR) and a detailed project report. RITES is also tasked with delivering a feasibility report comparing different options, including metro and Metrolite, with a focus on their cost-effectiveness. Recent discussions between UT officials, RITES, and MoHUA in Delhi delved into crucial aspects of the project, particularly debating the merits of an elevated or underground MRTS route in Chandigarh.

During these discussions, UT Chief Architect Kapil Setia and Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) sub-panel head Sumit Kaur informed MoHUA officials about the recommendations of the CHCC sub-panel on elevated and underground route options. Notably, the CHCC panel advocated for an underground route in the city, citing the UNESCO World Heritage site of Capitol Complex on the proposed route and the integration of heritage sectors into the same path. The Chandigarh Master Plan (CMP-2031) also aligns with the support for underground MRTS networks within the city.

In a recent meeting with RITES, the CHCC panel reinforced its stance, supporting a wholly underground MRTS route in Chandigarh. Their argument emphasized that an elevated metro in Chandigarh would clash with the city's distinctive low-rise, garden-centric character.

With the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs unequivocally asserting the metro as the preferred MRTS for Chandigarh, the city awaits further developments in the ongoing discussions. As the feasibility reports and recommendations take shape, the decision on the metro's configuration and its alignment with the unique heritage and landscape of Chandigarh will play a pivotal role in shaping the city's future transportation landscape.