RITES Proposes Public-Private Partnership for Cost-Effective Metro Project in Chandigarh

In a bid to reduce the cost of the Metro project for the tricity (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula), Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Ltd has suggested the exploration of a public-private partnership (PPP) model. During a recent meeting with the UT Administration on the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), RITES highlighted the government's encouragement of all forms of PPP and proposed private participation in non-core activities such as the automatic fare collection (AFC) system. The RITES team presented policies, guidelines, and procedures aligned with the Metro Rail Policy issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Following discussions, it was agreed to prepare an Alternative Analysis Report (AAR) and Detailed Project Report (DPR) in accordance with central guidelines. Once approved by the Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA), these reports will be submitted to the Government of India for final approval. To expedite the project, a meeting of the UMTA has been scheduled for July 18, involving stakeholders from Punjab, Haryana, and other officials, to engage an agency for the preparation of the AAR and DPR.

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The AAR will identify the best alternative mode to meet transportation demands on major travel corridors, including options such as Metro, Metrolite, or MetroNeo. The DPR will encompass planning, design, cost estimates, financial aspects, institutional arrangements, and an implementation plan for the recommended MRTS mode. With a focus on improving the tricity's public transport system, the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and the UT Administration unanimously approved the final CMP earlier this year. The CMP addresses the vision, objectives, existing traffic scenarios, short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans, integrated multi-modal transport planning, institutional strengthening, cost estimates, and the way forward as part of the overall strategy.

Two-phase project

RITES has presented a phased plan for the development of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS). The proposed plan includes two phases for the implementation of the MRTS. 

During the first phase, scheduled between 2027 and 2037, the MRTS will be developed along three routes. The routes include Sarangpur to ISBT Panchkula spanning 18 km, Rock Garden to ISBT Zirakpur via Industrial Area and Chandigarh Airport covering 35 km, and Grain Market Chowk to Transport Chowk in Sector 26, which is a 13 km stretch.

In the second phase, planned beyond 2037, the MRTS expansion will cover four additional routes. These routes consist of ISBT Panchkula to Panchkula Extension, spanning 4.5 km, Parol (New Chandigarh) to Sarangpur covering 5.5 km, Airport Chowk to Manakpur Kallar with a distance of 5 km, and ISBT Zirakpur to Pinjore, extending over 20 km.

The phased plan allows for a systematic and gradual development of the MRTS network, ensuring efficient connectivity across the tricity region.

July 18 meet to hire agency for DPR

In a recent meeting, RITES and the UT Administration reached a decision to create an Alternative Analysis Report (AAR) and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Metro project. These reports will undergo approval by the Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA) before being submitted to the Government of India for final approval.

To progress with the project, a meeting of the UMTA has been scheduled for July 18. The meeting will involve key stakeholders, including officials from Punjab and Haryana, to discuss the engagement of an agency responsible for the preparation of the AAR and DPR.