Chandigarh, November 14 The tricity could soon see metro rail becoming a reality in the region. Highly placed sources said that in a high-powered meeting, held recently in Delhi, it has been deliberated upon that metro would be a viable solution for the tricity instead of monorail, which will have limited reach.

Besides Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali, the metro rail would touch Ropar and Baddi in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, respectively.

However, a final stamp on it will be given only during the final meeting. But to make the project a viable venture, it was decided that the metro facility be extended beyond in the 35 km radius beyond the tricity.

In Punjab, the metro is likely to be extended up to Ropar on one side and Dera Bassi on the other side. Thus, it will cover the Greater Mohali area also, besides the towns of Kharar and Zirakpur where a lot of real estate activity is taking place.

In Haryana, besides Panchkula, the metro rail would touch Pinjore and Kalka and would be extended to Himachal Pradesh for more viability. Baddi, the upcoming industrial hub of the region where top industrial houses have already set up their facilities, and Barotiwala would be on the metro route.

A senior official in the Chandigarh Administration said, “It was discussed at length and then decided that at the first and the last point of the metro rail, there should be other modes of public transport like buses or taxis or auto rickshaws so that passengers can easily reach one’s destination. It will be Rs 3,000 crore project in which besides the Chandigarh Administration, thestate governments of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh will also pitch in.”

Sources said the Punjab government has already been pressing upon the Chandigarh Administration and the high-powered committee headed by former union revenue secretary Shivrama Krishanan stating that metro is the only solution the region. Besides, there are only two manufacturers of monorail in the world and that mode of transport is for a small areas and it is too costly.

Meanwhile, the Centre has set up a 10-member committee for the Chandigarh Mass Rail Transport Service (MRTS) project and has held a few meetings. The committee was assigned the task to check the viability of recommendation of RITES Consultants, which has recommended monorail from the tricity.

There is a strong case for introducing the metro project in Chandigarh, linking Panchkula and Mohali. Traffic congestion on certain busy routes like Madhya Marg, Mohali-Sector 17 route, Tribune Chowk-Sector 22 bus stand route, etc., have become chaotic and urgently need MRTS.

Project report may take six months

“The detailed project report should take about six months and once started the project should be completed in four years time,” a UT official said.

Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Monorail-out-its-metro-rail-for-...