RITES report: Chandigarh Metro nears reality

15 Sep 2023 CW Team

After both Haryana and Punjab had released their respective shares for the Tricity Metro's detailed project report (DPR), Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) reported that they had submitted their inception report to the UT administration, bringing the ambitious project a step closer to reality. An inception report was explained as a means of ensuring mutual understanding of the consultant's plan of action and timeline for conducting the evaluation.

According to Pradhuman Singh, director of UT transport, he mentioned, "We have received the inception report, and now RITES will provide us with a detailed presentation in a couple of days regarding how they will proceed with the alternative analysis report (AAR). Once the AAR is prepared, the DPR will follow." It was noted that the previous month, Punjab had paid its share of Rs 10.37 million, and just the previous week, the Haryana government had also released its share of Rs 6 million. The overall tentative cost of the Metro project was estimated to be around Rs 105.70 million, with 20% to be covered by the two states, 20% by the Centre, and the remaining 60% by the lending agency.

In July, the Chandigarh administration had decided that it would engage all stakeholders, including Haryana and Punjab, in the preparation of the AAR and DPR for the Metro Rail, as per the central government's guidelines. The Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA), consisting of 23 members, had convened on July 18 and had given its approval for the Tricity Metro project, also expanding the scope of the project for the first phase from 66 km to 77 km. The first phase would now commence from Parol in New Chandigarh (Mohali) and conclude at Panchkula Extension in Sector 20.

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