Context:

• The Chandigarh Metro project, aimed at enhancing urban mobility in the Tricity area (Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali), has recently faced scrutiny due to lower-than-expected ridership projections. Despite this, the UT Administration has decided to proceed with the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR).

Key Points:

• Initiated in 2009, the Chandigarh Metro project has encountered numerous hurdles, including political opposition and funding challenges.
• The project was temporarily halted following a rejection by the Home Ministry in 2017. However, it was revived in August 2021 as traffic congestion escalated, leading to renewed proposals and approvals in 2023 from both Punjab and Haryana state governments.

Planning and structure

The project is structured in two phases:

• Phase 1: Estimated to cover approximately 89 km with both overhead and underground routes, targeting completion by 2037.
• Phase 2: Planned for post-Phase 1 completion, adding an additional 25 km

The funding model involves contributions from local states and the central government, with Punjab and Haryana each covering 20% of costs, while a lending agency will finance the remaining 60%.

In light of recent discussions regarding ridership projections and financial viability, the UT Administration formed an eight-member committee tasked with evaluating the project's feasibility. This committee will analyze successful metro systems in cities of similar size and assess the economic implications for Chandigarh.

The decision to move forward with the DPR comes despite concerns about ridership projections being lower than anticipated. Critics argue that without adequate demand, the financial sustainability of the metro system could be compromised.