Govt of India approves ₹10,570 crore metro projects for Chandigarh, Mohali & Panchkula

Chandigarh, India (Metro Rail Today): In a major development, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has given its approvals to go-ahead for the highly anticipated Tricity metro project covering a total of 39-km metro rail network in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula.

This development has been come after a month-long wait following the submission of the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP). The ministry has also expressed its support for the Tricity metro project, marking a significant milestone.

“We have got a nod from the ministry, stating that they do not have any objection to the project. The ministry had asked the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) phase-wise, which will be again sent to the ministry for funds,” said a senior UT official.

The detailed feasibility report of proposed Tricity metro network is prepared by state-owned railway consultancy firm RITES Ltd with the aims to tackle the ever-increasing traffic chaos in the Tricity area, encompassing Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula.

Spanning a distance of 39 kilometers, this ambitious mass rapid transport system (MRTS) will exclude the heritage sectors from Sector 1 to 30. The estimated cost for this Tricy metro rail project would be ₹10,570 crore. Alongside the metro rail network, the plan also encompasses the construction of bus terminals, bus depots, and geometrical improvements at busy intersections, among other crucial infrastructure enhancements.

The comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) received in-principle approval from Chandigarh, Haryana, and Punjab governments in April this year, further solidifying the groundwork for the Tricity metro project. The final metro network is envisioned to span two phases, covering Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Zirakpur, New Chandigarh, and Pinjore.

During the first phase, which is set to be developed between 2027 and 2037, the MRTS will operate along several key routes, including Sarangpur to Panchkula ISBT, Rock Garden to Zirakpur ISBT via Mohali Industrial Area and the airport, as well as from Grain Market Chowk in Sector 39 to Transport Nagar in Sector 26.

In the subsequent phase (i.e. Phase 2), scheduled for development after 2037, four additional routes will be constructed. These routes will connect Panchkula ISBT to Panchkula Extension, Paraul in New Chandigarh to Sarangpur, Airport Chowk to Manakpur Kallar, and Zirakpur ISBT to Pinjore ISBT.