The comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) for the Chandigarh tricity area received an in-principle approval on March 16, 2023, during a meeting of representatives of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh governments. This will pave the way for a metro rail project, as proposed by RITES, boosting connectivity in the region.
Chaired by Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator Banwarilal Purohit at the Union territory secretariat in Sector 9, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar represented Haryana and minister Anmol Gagan Maan represented Punjab.
Discussion on the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) report was the agenda of the meeting. The report proposed a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) spread across Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. It outlined a mobility plan aimed at decongesting traffic in the region. According to the RITES report, the first phase of the Metro system would include three corridors in Chandigarh. Of the total 39.2 km proposed, 16 km may be underground, whereas the remaining will be elevated.
UT adviser Dharam Pal mentioned that the proposed Metro would be built in non-heritage sectors. Punjab and Haryana were mentioned in the discussion since the proposed Metro would also pass through their respective districts of Mohali and Panchkula. Further, alternate Metro routes under the project were suggested by stakeholders to ensure seamless traffic management in the tricity, such as Housing Board Chowk to Panjab University and PGIMER and Chandigarh airport.
