In a momentous development for the Tricity area, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has given its much-awaited approval for the Tricity metro project. This decision comes after a prolonged hiatus of over 14 years and extensive deliberation on the necessity of a metro system in the city.

The ministry's support for the project marks a significant milestone, following the submission of the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP). An official from the Union Territory (UT) has confirmed that the ministry has expressed no objections to the project and has requested Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) to prepare a detailed phase-wise project report (DPR) for further consideration of funds.

The meticulously crafted metro network proposed by RITES aims to alleviate the ever-increasing traffic chaos in the Tricity area, encompassing Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. Covering 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 of this transformative project stands at a staggering ₹10,570 crore. Alongside the metro network, the plan also includes the construction of bus terminals, bus depots, and geometric improvements at busy intersections, among other crucial infrastructure enhancements.

The comprehensive mobility plan (CMP), which received in-principle approval from Chandigarh, Haryana, and Punjab earlier this year, further solidifies the foundation for the Tricity metro project. The final metro network is envisioned to be implemented in two phases, covering Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Zirakpur, New Chandigarh, and Pinjore.

During the first phase, scheduled for development between 2027 and 2037, the MRTS will operate along several key routes. These include Sarangpur to Panchkula ISBT, Rock Garden to Zirakpur ISBT via Mohali Industrial Area and the airport, as well as Grain Market Chowk in Sector 39 to Transport Nagar in Sector 26.

In the subsequent phase, to be developed after 2037, four additional routes will be established. 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.

The approval of the Tricity metro project is a culmination of efforts spanning nearly 14 years since its initial proposal. During a meeting on the CMP earlier this year, the governments of Punjab and Haryana, along with the Chandigarh administration, provided their in-principle consent to the project. The mobility plan, formulated by RITES Limited, includes short, medium, and long-term proposals to enhance transportation, focusing on parking management, junction improvements, pedestrian infrastructure, road infrastructure, local bus systems, intermodal interchanges, and integrated freight complexes.

Chandigarh, with a population of over 12 lakh and 15 lakh registered vehicles, faces the highest density of vehicles per household in the country, resulting in severe traffic congestion. Furthermore, more than 2 lakh vehicles ply the city's roads on a daily basis, exacerbating the congestion caused by inter-state and Tricity routes. The comprehensive mobility plan, assigned to RITES Limited in December 2021, aims to tackle these mounting issues head-on.

It is worth highlighting that RITES had previously recommended the metro project in its initial report prepared in 2009. However, eight years later, the Union Home Ministry rejected the project in 2017, directing the UT administration to explore alternative transport models. The ministry cited the city's size and the financially unfeasible cost of ₹14,000 crore as reasons for the rejection.

The approval of the Tricity metro project is a significant stride towards revolutionizing transportation in the region, alleviating congestion, reducing pollution, and providing a sustainable and efficient mode of travel for the residents of Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. With this transformative development, the Tricity area is poised to witness a paradigm shift in urban mobility, enhancing connectivity and fostering economic growth in the years to come.