Chandigarh Metro: RITES Approves New Network Alignments, Full Detail Inside – News18

With the recent approval of a revitalised Chandigarh Metro project, the Tricity region of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkala is set to undergo a major transformation.

Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) has announced new metro network alignments, which have received universal approval from all stakeholders.

The Chandigarh Metro project, which promises to be a game changer for the region, seeks to solve growing traffic congestion by implementing a two-coach metro system intended largely for elevated operations. This project aims to give residents and commuters a more efficient and dependable form of mobility.

Chandigarh Metro Project: Details Here

Originally planned as a 66-kilometer stretch, the updated design expands significantly, bringing Phase 1 coverage to a total of 77 km. Chandigarh will have 35 km, Mohali/New Chandigarh will have 31 kilometres and Panchkala will have 11 kilometres.

The proposed metro corridor, which spans around 39 kilometres, would carefully skirt heritage sectors in Chandigarh from Sector 1 to Sector 30. According to Times Property, the completed metro network will connect significant neighbourhoods in Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali, New Chandigarh, Zirakpur and Pinjore in two phases, with approximately 30 stations dispersed across the network.

The Chandigarh Metro Project is expected to cost around Rs 11,000 crore, with contributions from the Punjab and Haryana governments (20 per cent each), the Central government (20 per cent), and a loan agency (60 per cent), as per Times Now. In July 2023, the Chandigarh administration commenced stakeholder involvement in the preparation of project reports.

Phase 1 is expected to begin between 2027 and 2037, and will include the construction of three critical corridors. These include a 29-kilometer stretch from Parole in New Chandigarh to Panchkula ISBT, a 35-kilometer route from Rock Garden to Zirakpur ISBT via the Mohali Industrial Area and Chandigarh Airport, and a 13-kilometer corridor from Grain Market Chowk in Sector 39 to Transport Nagar in Sector 26.

Phase 2 is scheduled to begin construction after 2037 and will include four new, largely elevated lanes that will connect Airport Chowk to Manakpur Kallar (5 kilometres) and Zirakpur ISBT to Pinjore ISBT (20 kilometres).