Chandigarh tricity to get a metro in near future
Many cities in India, such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru already have the services of a metro. Now the Union Territory and the joint capital of the two states of India, Chandigarh, is also to have a metro.
Chandigarh along with the parts of Punjab and Haryana are set to have the facility of a metro. Metro will run in Tricity- Chandigarh, Mohali (Punjab), Panchkula (Haryana).
Need for a metro
As nowadays, Chandigarh and areas near to it are facing traffic issues due to the large volume of vehicles present there. Every individual, due to the inefficient public transport system, prefers to use their own vehicles. This not only leads to high intensity of traffic but also leads to increasing pollution. Thus, a project for the metro is being considered for Chandigarh.
Metro Routes
This metro will run in the areas of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana. In July 2023, this project got clearance from the authorities.
The project will be completed in two instances.
1) The 1st phase will be completed from 2027 to 2037. It will consist of three lines, connecting Chandigarh, Mohali in Punjab and Panchkula in Haryana. It is expected to be built at a cost of Rs. 10,570 crore.
Line 1 will be 30 km long. It will connect ISBT Panchkula to Panchkula Extension.
Stations will be at Paroul (New Chandigarh), Kurali, Sarangpur, Khuda Lahora, PGI, Panjab University, Transport Light, Sector 26, Chandigarh railway station, Mauli Jagran Road, Housing Board Chowk, Geeta Chowk (Panchkula), ISBT Panchkula, Maheshpur road, Amartex road, Sector 20 Panchkula and Panchkula extension (Madanpur).
Line 2 will be 34 km long. It will connect Rock Garden to ISBT Zirakpur via Industrial Area and Chandigarh Airport, wherein the localities of Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Sector 17 Chandigarh, ISBT Sector 43, Fountain Chowk, Himalaya Marg, Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan (Mohali), Jail Road Chowk, Airport Chowk and Aerocity NH-7 Junction and ISBT Zirakpur. The route will join the ISBTs of Mohali and Zirakpur together, which are major transport hubs in the tri-city.
Line 3 will be 13 km long. It will connect Grain Market Chowk, Sector 39 Chandigarh to Transport Chowk, Sector 26 Chandigarh, wherein the localities of Vikas Marg and Tribune Chowk will have stations in between the route.
2) The 2nd phase will be completed after 2037. It will consist of two lines, connecting Pinjore to Haryana and expanded further to Mohali. The network will be 25 km long.
