Chandigarh: Tricity Metro Receives 6.15 Km New Extensions; Two-Coach System Suggested For The Rail Network

The Tricity Metro project — connecting Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula — is progressing with certain extensions and modifications according to the draft Alternative Analysis Report (AAR) prepared by Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES).

Originally planned to cover 79.50 km, the project has now been extended to 85.65 km, with an additional 6.15 km.

These extensions include routes from Zirakpur bus stand to Panchkula and Sukhna Lake to Sector 43 ISBT.

The report also includes a detailed geotechnical analysis, specifying depot locations in Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula, with the Panchkula depot location being revised.

Following this, the Punjab government has allocated 50 acres for constructing a depot for the Metro project.

Additionally, the report suggests that a two-coach metro rail system is the most suitable option for the Tricity area.

Initially, both the Metrolite and two-coach Metro were considered, but the Metrolite option was discarded as it would not meet the peak hour peak direction passenger demand and would become saturated by 2054-2055.

The Metrolite has a passenger capacity of 15,000 during peak times, whereas the Metro Rail can accommodate between 15,000 and 100,000 passengers.

Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Zirakpur, New Chandigarh and Pinjore will be covered by the final metro network, which will be developed in two phases.

The Metro project has an estimated cost of Rs 10,570 crore.

The funding for the project will be divided among various entities, with the two states contributing 20 per cent, the centre contributing 20 per cent, and the remaining 60 per cent provided by the lending agency.