Chandigarh, 1 January 2025 – Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari has once again advocated for the implementation of a Metro rail system to tackle the rising traffic congestion in the Tricity region, which includes Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, and New Chandigarh.
He believes the introduction of this mass rapid transport system (MRTS) will not only alleviate traffic but also drive economic growth and job creation in the area.
Tewari led a meeting of the transport sub-committee within the UT administrator’s advisory council, where he raised the importance of planning for long-term transportation solutions.
He suggested that the newly proposed Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA) should take a 30-year view on transportation planning for the region. “Without a Metro, commuting will become unmanageable in the next decade,” Tewari cautioned.
In response to the discussions, Union Minister for Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar had visited the city in November and instructed the UT administration to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the Metro rail system.
Despite projections indicating alleged low ridership, Khattar had stressed the need for a thorough assessment and advised the consideration of alternative options, such as a pod taxi system.
He also noted the importance of addressing both capital and operational costs in the evaluation, given the city's heritage status.
A report from RITES, a subsidiary of the Railways, had previously recommended a two-coach Metro system for the region. The draft alternatives analysis report (AAR) from RITES had concluded that the Metro system was the most feasible mass transport solution based on its comprehensive qualitative and quantitative assessment of the area’s needs.