Chandigarh Metro Project Hits Another Setback

03 Jan 2025 CW Team

Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, stated in a press conference held in Chandigarh on November 8 that the city lacked sufficient ridership numbers to support a metro system. He explained that various solutions were being explored, such as an underground, elevated, or mixed metro system, with the project's viability largely dependent on projected ridership. He emphasised that, in addition to the cost of establishing the metro system, operational costs and the project's long-term financial sustainability must also be considered.

Though the future of the metro project remains uncertain, new ideas, such as the ‘Pod Taxi’ system, have been proposed as alternatives. Khattar expressed support for the Pod Taxi idea, suggesting it could blend well with the city's heritage and infrastructure, as it could be constructed on road dividers.

Following the decisions made at the third meeting of the Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA) in September, the Chandigarh administration formed a committee to assess the project's feasibility. This committee has been tasked with reviewing reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on other metro projects and determining whether the metro is financially viable for Chandigarh, or if alternative transportation solutions should be considered to alleviate the city's traffic congestion.

According to the alternative analysis report (AAR) submitted by Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) in July, the estimated construction cost of the metro project is around Rs 211.79 billion, with the completion cost, including escalations and taxes, expected to reach approximately Rs 241.42 billion. In addition, land costs and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs are yet to be fully estimated. The O&M costs are projected to reach Rs 6.33 billion by 2031, increasing to Rs 37.99 billion by 2056. The construction of the metro is expected to take about four years and six months.

Earlier, the UMTA had approved Phase 1 of the project, which is proposed to extend over 77 km, covering three corridors.

The saga of metro construction in Chandigarh continues, although the likelihood of the city getting a metro system anytime soon has greatly diminished. Until the first half of the year, the metro was considered a potential solution to the city's worsening traffic and parking issues. However, by the end of the year, this perspective shifted dramatically, as concerns about the project's financial feasibility arose.Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, stated in a press conference held in Chandigarh on November 8 that the city lacked sufficient ridership numbers to support a metro system. He explained that various solutions were being explored, such as an underground, elevated, or mixed metro system, with the project's viability largely dependent on projected ridership. He emphasised that, in addition to the cost of establishing the metro system, operational costs and the project's long-term financial sustainability must also be considered.Though the future of the metro project remains uncertain, new ideas, such as the ‘Pod Taxi’ system, have been proposed as alternatives. Khattar expressed support for the Pod Taxi idea, suggesting it could blend well with the city's heritage and infrastructure, as it could be constructed on road dividers.Following the decisions made at the third meeting of the Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA) in September, the Chandigarh administration formed a committee to assess the project's feasibility. This committee has been tasked with reviewing reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on other metro projects and determining whether the metro is financially viable for Chandigarh, or if alternative transportation solutions should be considered to alleviate the city's traffic congestion.According to the alternative analysis report (AAR) submitted by Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) in July, the estimated construction cost of the metro project is around Rs 211.79 billion, with the completion cost, including escalations and taxes, expected to reach approximately Rs 241.42 billion. In addition, land costs and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs are yet to be fully estimated. The O&M costs are projected to reach Rs 6.33 billion by 2031, increasing to Rs 37.99 billion by 2056. The construction of the metro is expected to take about four years and six months.Earlier, the UMTA had approved Phase 1 of the project, which is proposed to extend over 77 km, covering three corridors.

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