BJP Demands Fast-Track for Chandigarh Metro as Congress Aligns Amid Prolonged Delay
In a significant parliamentary move, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu has called for urgent action on the long-stalled Chandigarh Metro project, highlighting a looming traffic catastrophe in the Tricity region. Raising the issue through a Special Mention during the Budget Session, Sandhu emphasized the need for a comprehensive Metro network to address worsening congestion, with the project now dragging into its 14th year without construction commencement.
Cross-Party Support Meets Administrative Hurdles
The push for the Metro is not limited to the ruling party. Congress MP Manish Tewari had previously advocated in the Lok Sabha, demanding a Rs 25,000 crore special grant and designation as a Strategic Connectivity Project. However, both MPs face opposition from Chandigarh Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who has raised red flags over financial viability and feasibility, suggesting alternatives like extending the network to distant cities.
Traffic Crisis and Population Growth Drive Urgency
Sandhu presented alarming statistics to underscore the urgency. Chandigarh boasts the highest per capita vehicle density in India at 1,142 vehicles per 1,000 residents, over four times the national average. With the Tricity's population projected to exceed 40 lakh by 2041 and a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 8.02%, he warned that average vehicular speeds could drop below 15 km/h without a Metro system. The network aims to enhance connectivity to industrial and educational hubs, with daily ridership estimated to reach 25 lakh by 2031.
Project Details and Historical Delays
The proposed Metro network includes three elevated corridors, over 50 stations, and a total length of 114 km, with Phase 1 covering 89 km. Estimated costs have escalated to Rs 25,631 crore for an elevated option and Rs 30,498 crore for underground by 2031. Despite in-principle central approval in March 2023 and a Detailed Project Report finalised in July 2024, the project has faced repeated setbacks, including a scrapping in 2017 over viability concerns and ongoing revisions by RITES.
- Key Cities: Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, with extensions to Kharar, Zirakpur, and others.
- Financial Metrics: Financial Internal Rate of Return at 5.26% for elevated option, fueling debate.
- Governance: Managed by the Greater Chandigarh Transport Corporation with equity from multiple governments.
Urban planners warn that the absence of rapid transport is constraining growth and mobility, as the Tricity's roads reach saturation. With bipartisan political will but administrative challenges, the future of the Chandigarh Metro remains uncertain, yet critical for sustainable urban development.
