This thread will be used to post articles, photos and info on the Chandigarh metro project.

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Corridor 1: Khuda Lahora — IT Park [16.31 km]

Corridor 2: Motor Market — Maheshpur [7.8 km]

Corridor 3: Sukhna Lake — S.A.S. Nagar Railway Station [16.86 km]

Corridor 4: Dakshin Marg — Airport

Corridor 5: IT-Park — S.A.S. Narage Sector 105

Corridor 6: Dadu Majra — Mohali Sector 93

Corridor 7: Zirakpur — Panchkula Bus Terminal

From The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2706253.cms)

NEW DELHI: Chandigarh, seen as India's best planned city, will have a Metro of its own which will also link it to the adjoining sub-cities of
Mohali and Panchkula. The decision to place the city on the Metro map has been given an "in principle" clearance by the Urban development ministry.

The ministry has asked Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh administrations to initiate work on preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the mass rapid transport network at the earliest. "The required approvals going through on time, the underground and elevated Metro for Chandigarh and adjoining areas will materialize in about five years," urban development secretary M Ramachandran told TOI.

The Metro might prove to be boon to the city. Not only will it boost its already high quality of life, it will help the city cater to an increase in population in the future without necessarily putting more pressure on the roads. A Metro system will go a long way in helping maintain Chandigarh's orderly appearance while doing real estate prices no great harm either.

Links to Mohali and Panchkula will also help ensure that the sub-cities develop and Chandigarh does not bear the burden of increased congestion in the next decade. To provide an impetus to public transport in the city, the UD secretary held a high-level meeting in Chandigarh on Saturday with the adviser to the Administrator of Chandigarh and chief secretaries of Punjab and Haryana.

From Nothern Voices Online (http://nvonews.com/2008/01/22/chandigarh-to-travel-on-metro-government-of-india-approves-project/)
Chandigarh : The people of Chandigarh will be able to travel on Metro in future as Government of India has approved Grade Separated Metro for Chandigarh.

This decision was taken at a Meeting held under the Chairmanship of Secretary Urban Development, Government of India, Mr. M. Ramchandran recently.

Many vital decisions were taken in this regard in the meeting. A detailed Project Report (DPR) for Grade Separated Metro will be prepared by Chandigarh Administration. Initially, the Metro would be along the two corridors, for which the expert committee had earlier suggested ‘at surface Light Railway Transport’. In

Chandigarh, Metro will be underground in most of the areas. The Metro stations would be provided with enough space for parking and fare integration will be planned with other modes of public transport.

A High Power Group chaired by the Governor Punjab and Administrator of UT Chandigarh, General (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues and consisting of Adviser to Administrator Chandigarh, Chief Secretary of Haryana and Punjab would guide and coordinate the entire process for finishing of the project timely. This empowered

Committee would deal with all issues relating to planning and implementing of the Metro and other MRTS initiatives relating to whole Chandigarh Urban complex. An organization on the line and pattern of National Capital Region Planning Board would be set up for the Chandigarh Urban Complex.

The decision was also taken to develop a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) and a region wide mass transport network parallel to Metro Project. There would be mix of modes for network connectivity and phasing up of investment. CMP would also cover connection up to Baddi in Himachal Pradesh.

Decision for setting up of a modern city bus service to provide seamless connectivity across the entire Chandigarh Urban Complex which will also start operating on the 7 corridors suggested for MRTS network. The routes would be modified after the commencement of Metro. Bus Road Transport System, Dedicated Bus lanes in certain stretches for full time or peak time only will also be explored subsequently.

Government of India has also accepted the views and recommendations of the Expert Committee regarding improving pedestrianisation, non motorized transport, orbital

roads around Chandigarh to by pass Chandigarh and restraining private transport etc. These suggestions would also be implemented in time bound manner.

Urban Development Secretary, Government of India Mr. M. Ramchandran complimented Chandigarh Administration for thinking of Mass Rapid Transport Solution much in advance rather than being reactive like many other cities. He also

emphasized the need for unified Metropolitan Transport Authority for the whole Urban Complex.

Source IndiaInfo.com (http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/01/23/0801230012_chandigarh-metro.html)
Chandigarh: The Centre has approved a metro for this Union Territory, which initially would be along two corridors and underground for most of its route, an official spokesman said here today.

"Approval was given at a meeting held recently under the chairmanship of Urban Development Secretary M Ramchandran in the capital," he said.

The city administration will prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Metro. Initially, the Metro would be along two corridors and will be underground for most its route, he said.
A high-powered group chaired by the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator S F Rodrigues would oversee the project, to be complemented within five years.

This empowered committee would deal with all issues relating to planning and implementing of the metro and other MRTS initiatives relating to whole Chandigarh Urban complex.
An organisation on the pattern of National Capital Region Planning Board would be set up for the Chandigarh Urban Complex, he added.

Great news - along with Kochi and Pune , Chandigargh metro is music to my ears.

Hopefully we can keep this thread busy by regular updates , thanks for posting India#1

Posted by Euromast

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/889/15102008161003ui9.jpg

Chandigarh set for a Metro ride


17 Jan 2008, 0044 hrs IST, Mahendra Kumar Singh, TNN

NEW DELHI: Chandigarh, seen as India's best planned city, will have a Metro of its own which will also link it to the adjoining sub-cities of

Mohali and Panchkula. The decision to place the city on the Metro map has been given an "in principle" clearance by the Urban development ministry.

The ministry has asked Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh administrations to initiate work on preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the mass rapid transport network at the earliest. "The required approvals going through on time, the underground and elevated Metro for Chandigarh and adjoining areas will materialize in about five years," urban development secretary M Ramachandran told TOI.

The Metro might prove to be boon to the city. Not only will it boost its already high quality of life, it will help the city cater to an increase in population in the future without necessarily putting more pressure on the roads. A Metro system will go a long way in helping maintain Chandigarh's orderly appearance while doing real estate prices no great harm either.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandigarh_set_for_a_Metro_ride/articleshow/2706253.cms

this project makes a lot of sense. 7 corridors is it?

7 corridors?!
why is it that a much smaller town gets more lines than Mumbai?

7 corridors?!
why is it that a much smaller town gets more lines than Mumbai?

7 corridor is the master plan!! First phase they'll construct only 2 corridors!

I think a BRTS would be better for Chandigarh than a Metro given that it doesn't even have a million people yet.

Right on buddy, population size is absolutely the only determinant of an infrastructure project's appropriateness...

For more than obvious reasons, Chandigarh should be looking to build a metro. I'm not even going to begin telling you all the reasons that in fact a Metro, and not BRTS, would be appropriate for Chandigarh because I'm sure that if you thought about it for more than a microsecond, you'd arrive at the same conclusion.

C'mon, you are making such a broad, sweeping gesture on the basis of one planning metric?! Would you PLEASE, PLEASE put some concerted effort into your posts instead of giving us every one-liner and passing-thought that crosses your mind?!

In reference to the actual Metro project, a couple thoughts:

I am not familiar with the on-the-ground situation in Chandigarh or with general paths of traffic flow, etc. Since I am not familiar enough with the real situation, I cannot make a real comment as to how good a job RITES has done. For all I know, the routes suggested could actually be the heaviest paths of travel, and inter-line connectivity isn't a big issue.

However, a key focus of any transport plan should be minimizing the number of transfers for any commuter. In the best designs, a commuter should need to make only one transfer to reach their destination, or for a small segment of the commuting populace, 2. More than 2 transfers and people will not use the metro, period. Additionally, one would hope that many commuters can reach their destinations with 0 transfers.

In order to make that happen, there are 2 basic design ideas:
1) Individual lines are long --> segmentation is kept to a minimum and continuous lines are planned

2) The majority of lines converge towards a central location, such that every lines meets the maximum number of the other lines. This maximizes 1 transfer routes while reducing 2 transfer routes.

Looking at the Chandigarh map, only lines 3,4, and 5 seem to be designed with those ideas in mind. Meanwhile, what's going on with line #6?! Only a connection to line #4 with no other connections? That is a nice recipe for disaster.

It is also possible that line #6 trains will be running on corridor 4 as well, and the artist has drawn it the way he was only to simulate the plan for expansion rather than the final route plans. Still, looking back at the nice big failure of the Delhi Ring Railway, I am wary of RITES ability to do urban transport planning. It'd be better that Chandigarh pull in some guys from DMRC.

My 2 paise in, and I'm out.

Right on buddy, population size is absolutely the only determinant of an infrastructure project's appropriateness...

For more than obvious reasons, Chandigarh should be looking to build a metro. I'm not even going to begin telling you all the reasons that in fact a Metro, and not BRTS, would be appropriate for Chandigarh because I'm sure that if you thought about it for more than a microsecond, you'd arrive at the same conclusion.

C'mon, you are making such a broad, sweeping gesture on the basis of one planning metric?! Would you PLEASE, PLEASE put some concerted effort into your posts instead of giving us every one-liner and passing-thought that crosses your mind?!

come-on
you really think "Chandigarh Metro" is going to happen before 2020?
Chennai Metro which was recently approved costs 16,000 crores for two corridors AND Chennai has more than 10 times the population of Chandigarh.
same goes for "Pune Metro". These projects are sooo out of sync with reality that I have to use quotes for them.

I certainly cannot give any determination as to when the Metro will be implemented. However, I can with utmost certainty say that expediting the project would be beneficial, particularly over BRT.

Chandigarh's metro prospects should not be determined on the basis of inadequate current demand nor on the basis of needs in other metro areas, particularly if Chandigarh secures it own funding.

The fact that one metro area is just getting its metro should in no way prevent another, smaller metro area from getting a metro. Chandigarh should be able to stand on its feet and be the best it can be. If that means being a leader in metro construction with an eye towards better-planned and robust growth in the future, all the more power to it.

Did you miss the part about a staged-construction? Did you also miss the part where Chennai's cost is exacerbated by underground rail? Use comparable examples when making a point.

I have no personal relation to Chandigarh, no relatives, no vested interest, no nothing. However, any Indian cities hopes to become a leader should be honored and funded. Plans like these should not become boondoggles of "studies of the unfeasible hypothetical".

Right on buddy, population size is absolutely the only determinant of an infrastructure project's appropriateness...

For more than obvious reasons, Chandigarh should be looking to build a metro. I'm not even going to begin telling you all the reasons that in fact a Metro, and not BRTS, would be appropriate for Chandigarh because I'm sure that if you thought about it for more than a microsecond, you'd arrive at the same conclusion.

C'mon, you are making such a broad, sweeping gesture on the basis of one planning metric?! Would you PLEASE, PLEASE put some concerted effort into your posts instead of giving us every one-liner and passing-thought that crosses your mind?!

Do you even know anything about Chandigarh? The city doesn't even have 1 million people. Having 7 (underground) metro corridors would be a financial disaster! Metro's are for large, congested cities. Who is going to pay to build and maintain 7 metro corridors?

BRTS would be a perfect option for Chandigarh, especially since it has wide roads. Bogota & Curatiba are cities which are much larger than Chandigarh and have had amazing success with the BRTS. And BRTS is much much cheaper!

Having a metro isn't always the best option, especially for cities as small and well planned as Chandigarh (and ones which aren't growing fast).

You may know more about Chandigarh than I do, or you may know less. However, you seem to think you have some enormous pool of knowledge that allows you to refute the conclusions on an entire body of experts on the basis of one metric.

Frankly, I along with many others have never liked the concept of BRT. That doesn't mean I think it has no applications at all. However, in the US, BRT is simply the Detroit lobby's way of killing the subway with an el cheapo system no one uses. BRT uses up significantly more road space than metro systems, has less traffic capacity, provides minimal environmental benefits, and is much harder to integrate into the existing transport plan (as seen in the first Delhi BRT).

Metros need to be built keeping in mind future growth. No one is saying build all the corridors now! Corridors are extended as the population need arises. That should seem simple enough?

I think BRT can be a useful tool, but it should be in integration with metro service. You cannot simply replace a train with a bus and expect the same amount of user satisfaction, or throughput.

Well for the cost of building one metro corridor, you could build 7 BRT corridors and if they have x amount of money, it would be wiser to spend it on building 7 BRT corridors than 1 metro corridor, especially because Chandigarh is a very small city and has not grown as fast as most other cities.

You probably don't know Chandigarh well enough, because Chandigarh has wide roads that can accommodate a BRT system.

If you build 7 metro corridors, you will need a large number of people to use them in order to become financially stable. Chandigarh doesn't have the passengers nor the money to finance such a large scale project. BRTS is a more cost-effective option that can be implemented much sooner.

And who says no one uses BRTS? Have you looked at the BRT in LA? They have buses that are sometimes packed! A well planned brts system can be very successful.

Provide me a statistic that states that for the cost of one mile of metro, you can build 7 miles of BRT. Moreover, provide me a statistic that states that for the cost of one passenger-mile of metro you can get 7 passenger-miles of BRT.

Wide roads are great. That doesn't mean they should be converted to BRT. In fact, a wide road is often a reason not to use BRT.

Are you sure you understand the point of BRT? When a route is extremely congested, the busses get stuck behind cars. By providing a separate lane, busses can avoid the traffic. However, if Chandigarh's roads are adequately wide, no BRT should be needed in the first place. Rather, traffic should be fluid enough to allow traffic to move anyways.

Placing BRT on major thoroughfares doesn't work for two reasons. If you put the two BRT lanes on the outside of the car thoroughfares, you create a safety nightmare due to overly complex intersection arrangements. If you put it in the center, you get a Delhi. Where do you put the BRT?

BRT works best when existing space on major arteries is not eliminated for it. Rather (and the Twin Cities are a perfect example), BRT works best when you convert a back-road that doesn't directly serve any users (but acts as a secondary thoroughfare) exclusively to bus use. Often, this can be a road parallel to a major automobile thoroughfare.

As I stated, BRT can be a viable concept, if it is used appropriately. BRT should never be thought of as a replacement for steel-on-steel.

We have a BRT up here in Boston too. It's called the Silver Line, or more popularly, the Silver Lie. Although, like LA, the route can be jam-packed, it would be carrying several times its current capacity had they put in rail (as they were supposed to). Want that for Chandigarh 30 years from now?

Ok arguing with you is pointless and a waste of time.

As an urban planner, I know that BRT would be much better for Chandigarh than a metro. It would be much cheaper and would be implemented much faster, since metro requires people to be rehabilitated for stations and private properties to be bought. The BRT is implemented just on roads, which does not require private properties.

There is no point discussing this with you, since you are not familiar with Chandigarh and have a blind love for metro. Yes metro works for large cities. No, metro is not a one-solution-fits-all.

Urban planner? Give me a break.

Blind love for Metro? Did you miss the part where I explained how BRT has merit and has been wildly successful when implemented in a certain way? Maybe you just skipped that whole part. Maybe you didn't read the previous post at all. No matter.

I want to remind you that population size is not the overriding metric that can determine the viability of a metro system (population density and average commute distance come first).

Best of luck to Chandigarh Metro. With a comprehensive system of subway service and feeder buses, Chandigarh will have years of bountiful, planned growth.

[edit] Abridged.

No comment. I have made my point. Discussion finished.

As have I. That discussion was already finished. Now resumes discussion on Chandigarh Metro.

Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link on track ...... Read More (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandigarh/Chandigarh-Ludhiana_rail_link_on_track/articleshow/4152452.cms)

please post news only related to the metro rail here.
all other railways related news can be posted here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=638652)

However, a key focus of any transport plan should be minimizing the number of transfers for any commuter. In the best designs, a commuter should need to make only one transfer to reach their destination, or for a small segment of the commuting populace, 2. More than 2 transfers and people will not use the metro, period. Additionally, one would hope that many commuters can reach their destinations with 0 transfers.

In order to make that happen, there are 2 basic design ideas:
1) Individual lines are long --> segmentation is kept to a minimum and continuous lines are planned

2) The majority of lines converge towards a central location, such that every lines meets the maximum number of the other lines. This maximizes 1 transfer routes while reducing 2 transfer routes.

Looking at the Chandigarh map, only lines 3,4, and 5 seem to be designed with those ideas in mind. Meanwhile, what's going on with line #6?! Only a connection to line #4 with no other connections? That is a nice recipe for disaster.


I think you're spot on... its a pretty baffling layout to say the least...

The urban development ministry has given in principle clearance for Chandigarh's metro project. The ministry has asked Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab to initiate work on preparing a detailed project report for the mass rapid transport network.
"If the required approvals come through on time, the underground and elevated metro for Chandigarh and adjoining sub-cities Mohali and Panchkula will materialise in about five years," said Urban Development Secretary M. Ramachandran.
It is expected that a metro system will go a long way to help maintain Chandigarh's orderly appearance and cater to a growing population without more pressure on roads.
Links to Mohali and Panchkula will ensure development of the sub-cities and less congestion for Chandigarh in the next 10 years.

Source: ProjectsMonitor.com (http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=15366)

I have some questions –
1) Will future lines use overhead wire like Delhi? Or third rail like Kolkata?

2) Will there any metro stations with both side platforms?

I think a BRTS would be better for Chandigarh than a Metro given that it doesn't even have a million people yet.

From a 2009 estimate, Chandigarh as reached over a milllion people.

Honestly, I still don't think this metro project will happen. If it does happen, I would be the happiest person in the world, but I don't think it's gonna go thru.

It would cost an unbelievable amount to run 7 metro corridors for a city with one million people.

Chandigarh is the 44th largest metropolis in India (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_populous_metropolitan_areas_in_India)...if they're having trouble financing one metro corridor in Mumbai (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/metro-line-3-faces-obstacles-in-planning-stage-itself/371460/0) (the largest metropolis in India with 19 times the population of Chandigarh) its going to be impossible to finance 7 metro corridors for Chandigarh.

Again- I hope that this project happens but realistically speaking i doubt it will happen.

i see a lot of discussion going on, but very few numbers.

I am sure there must be a report somewhere out there with the projected number of users and the cost involved, again, bringing us to the cost-benefit analysis. For any new project, cost and returns determine everything else, including its scope, its design and whatever else.

Metro comes to Chandigarh (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/Jan182008/national2008011747237.asp)

Chandigarh has one of the highest vehicle density in the country with over six lakh registered vehicles. The Metro project is scheduled to be completed in the next five years and aims at reducing the city’s traffic congestion considerably. In the first phase, the Metro would ferry about 25,000 passengers, sources said.

“The Metro will be a great boon for the city choking with traffic at peak hours,” said a senior official of the administration, who spoke on condition of anonymity saying they were still awaiting communication from the ministry.

The sudden approval of the project by the ministry has come as a surprise to the officials of the administration after a committee set up by the Centre to study feasibility of the project had recently ruled out the Metro rail and the Monorail for the city as viable public transport options. Instead, the committee as also the ministry officials had favoured the shoring up the public bus systems in the city. One of the contentions of the committee against the Metro had been the city's small area of only 114 square km.


Public Relations Department, Chandigarh Administration (http://72.14.235.132/search?q=cache:L6oMpoqTxKgJ:admser.chd.nic.in/uploadfiles/press/pressnote/pr2607.pdf+chandigarh+metro&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=hk&client=firefox-a)

A detailed Project Report (DPR) for Grade Separated Metro will be
prepared by Chandigarh Administration. Initially, the Metro would
be along the two corridors, for which the expert committee had
earlier suggested ‘at surface Light Railway Transport’. In
Chandigarh, Metro will be underground in most of the areas. The
Metro stations would be provided with enough space for parking
and fare integration will be planned with other modes of public
transport.

A High Power Group chaired by the Governor Punjab and
Administrator of UT Chandigarh, General (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues
and consisting of Adviser to Administrator Chandigarh, Chief
Secretary of Haryana and Punjab would guide and coordinate the
entire process for finishing of the project timely. This empowered
Committee would deal with all issues relating to planning and
implementing of the Metro and other MRTS initiatives relating to
whole Chandigarh Urban complex. An organization on the line
and pattern of National Capital Region Planning Board would be
set up for the Chandigarh Urban Complex.

The decision was also taken to develop a Comprehensive
Mobility Plan (CMP) and a region wide mass transport network
parallel to Metro Project. There would be mix of modes for
network connectivity and phasing up of investment. CMP would
also cover connection up to Baddi in Himachal Pradesh.
Decision for setting up of a modern city bus service to
provide seamless connectivity across the entire Chandigarh Urban
Complex which will also start operating on the 7 corridors
suggested for MRTS network. The routes would be modified after
the commencement of Metro. Bus Road Transport System,
Dedicated Bus lanes in certain stretches for full time or peak time
only will also be explored subsequently.

So the metro is only part of the plan for the entire region.

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/284/13062009541005.jpg

In last years budget Lalu had set up funds for Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri project , thus connecting Bilaspur, Himachal to Kiratpur Sahib (I think), Punjab thus to Chandigarh, Ambala etc...

Does anyone have any updates/information on progress in this segment ?

Chandigarh, Amritsar and Ludhiana need Metro projects. Chandigarh's population is about 1.2 million. adding all the suburban areas as below

Parwanoo - Kalka - 0.2 million (Himachal - Haryana)
Panchkula - 0.2 million (Haryana)

Zirakpur - Banur - 0.2 million (Punjab)
Chandigarh - 1.2 million
Mohali - 0.2 million

so this whole area in the radius of 30 KMs is about 2 million, When you extend this radius to 60 KM including the cities of Ambala, Patiala, Ropar it is not less than Bombay, Madras, Calcutta or Delhi (about 8-10 million population)., with space in between for agriculture., as oppose to the concrete jungles that these ugly metropolitan cities of india are.

The only issue here is the the region is divided among three different states and one union territory and thus it does not looks like as a huge metropolitan area which it is for all practical purposes.

I know for a fact that people daily commute to Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula area from Ropar, Patiala and Ambala, while many people commute weekly to Chandigarh from Delhi, Ludhiana, Jalandhar.

and now coming back to the original question!! The criteria of using population to determine the infrastructure development is totally wrong, rather it should be economic productivity of the people, which Punjab Haryana area is number one in the country without good infrastructure.


In my opinion an X like map for an underground Metro will be sufficient for Chandigarh as an underground metro will not alter the design of chandigarh while provided the maximum throughput.

The center of the X (where the two lines meet) should be a place like Sector-34 ISBT (or Sector - 17). while the extreme north ends of the X are Khudda Lahora and Panchkula., while extreme south ends of the X are Kharar and Sector 105.


So

Not only for Chandigarh, but Amritsar & Ludhiana should also get metro systems, because both cities are million plus.

how can only population be the only criterion to have metro..
there are a lot of other mass transit systems which can be much cheaper and operationally cost effective too..

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1006/07092009545001.jpg

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/MRTS-may-take-time-to-kick-off/articleshow/5258635.cms

To ease traffic congestion choking city's arteries, the UT administration had decided to implement Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) to help roads breathe easy.

However, it will take some more time before the project finally takes off.

According to information, the administration had recently finalized a proposal to widen the key artery - Madhya Marg. But the move was stalled after the engineering department pointed out that heritage trees would have to be cut down for the same. As such, the option of compensatory planting did not seem a viable option.

Another plan to make sector-17 one-way was also put on the backburner after traders protested against it, fearing it would hamper their business prospects as visitors would have to travel extra distance to visit the area.

Discussing the issue, an official said, "Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has been designated the nodal agency for construction of underpasses on the busy crossings on Madhya Marg. An agency will soon be finalized."

Earlier, the UT architecture department had pointed out that widening of Madhya Marg was an extremely difficult task.

Sources said last year it was decided to add another lane to Madhya Marg, but the idea of cutting trees made the idea unfeasible. It was later decided to construct slip-roads for slow moving vehicles and two-wheelers.

A survey carried out by the UT engineering department revealed that more than 35,000 vehicles took the Press Chowk route on Madhya Marg during peak hours every day.

This included over 11,500 two-wheelers, 12,000 cars and 250 buses and trucks. A substantial percentage of these are inter-state vehicles.

Adding to the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) prepared by RITES, the department has suggested that one underpass be built between Sectors 22 and 35 to ease congestion. Besides, the roundabouts with high traffic density at Dakshim Marg can also be considered for building underpasses.

The CHB has already been entrusted the task of constructing eight underpasses on Madhya Marg to improve traffic chaos. Before work on the Metro Rail kicks off, the administration also needs to restructure the transport sector for better coordination between the departments concerned.

Commenting on the report prepared by RITES, a UT official said, "The transport sector is not adequately equipped to deal with the problems of urban transport."

The administration should plan to introduce the system after RITES presents the comprehensive mobility plan to UT next month.

Chandigarh, Amritsar and Ludhiana need Metro projects. Chandigarh's population is about 1.2 million.

so this whole area in the radius of 30 KMs is about 2 million, When you extend this radius to 60 KM including the cities of Ambala, Patiala, Ropar it is not less than Bombay, Madras, Calcutta or Delhi (about 8-10 million population)., with space in between for agriculture., as oppose to the concrete jungles that these ugly metropolitan cities of india are.


Dude, you need masses/concrete jungles, however ugly they may be, to make a metro project viable instead of agricultural land. Metro is not gonna run in paddy fields.

BTW, do you think that population of these 4 metros within a radius of 60 km is 8-10 million? It is more than 35 million for Delhi and more than 30 million for Mumbai for this much radius and I think Kolkata has more than 20 million.

It's only the contiguous population which matters, not the population living in fields.

It may not be a cakewalk as planned. The Planning Board and the Ministry of Finance may raise serious objections once the file reaches their tables. A good few Metro Rail proposals are stuck there.

And 7 corridors appear to me as if they're overdoing it. It will be a colossal logistical nightmare to streamline all these corridors to function as a single system. Wait n see...

BRT will be best for the city, given its population and density. Plus Chandigarh has wide roads to support BRT.

I think they should go ahead. Even if it is loss-making initially, it will help to spur development of the city.

I think they should go ahead. Even if it is loss-making initially, it will help to spur development of the city.

I agree. I'm not sure the 7 corridoors make sense or will ever be feasible, but if you have 2 lines (N-S and E-W) or even a single line (E-W through Chandigarh followed by N-S to Panchkula) and supplement it with a really good feeder BRTS system that would go a long way in helping the city grow sustainably.

XX

I support the 7 metro corridors. Because metro rail/suburban rail/MRTS/Light rail can act as a spinal cord for the city transportation and should be formed in the core routes (density routes).

BRTS/Monorail/Trams/ETBs can act as a feeder service to the above core routes and can take people to their streets.

Wider roads can take BRTS
Narrower roads can take Monorail
Moderately wide roads can take trams/ETBs

I guess these 7 routes are planned in advance for 25 years.

As of now the demand will be not be very high as the population of the city is just over 1 million. It will take decades for the city and metropolitan region to have sizable population to support metro. Till then it will remain a white elephant. Initially 2 cross lines will be sufficient.

^^ Obviously! 7 corridors is the master plan. They'll first build 2 corridors only. Every 5 years 2 corridors and by 20th year we'll have all 7 corridors in place.

^^ Obviously! 7 corridors is the master plan. They'll first build 2 corridors only. Every 5 years 2 corridors and by 20th year we'll have all 7 corridors in place.

I know that all 7 won't be built simultaneously but I am saying that 20 years will be short time. It should be around 40 years with same no. of corridors (or even more) and probably longer ones as the city would have expanded quite a lot. Even if Chandigarh metropolitan area grows at a rate of 50% per decade (which is very high by even Indian standards), even then it will not be able to cross 3 million mark in next 20 years. Now imagine 7 lines in a city of 3 million !!

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/On-the-drawing-board--metro--BRT-for-Mohali/552179
:cheers:

2 metro, 3 BRT routes proposed in Zonal Development Plan

To put Mohali on the path of planned development, metro and bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors have been notified in the Zonal Development Plan (ZDP).

Based on the Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Chandigarh Urban Complex, the metro route will provide connectivity to the upcoming international airport, Aerotropolis — a new township to come up with the airport — Transport Nagar, Knowledge City and the planned commercial hub in Sector 87.

The route will also connect the Sector-62 commercial hub, the proposed IT City and all residential sectors. The Comprehensive Mobility Plan is prepared by Rites Ltd.

Also, a metro light rail route will connect the Chandigarh Metro with the upcoming inter-state bus terminal in Sector 57 and sub-city centre in Sector 120. This route will meet the Chandigarh Metro at the Sector 40-41 junction.

Further, the ZDP has proposed three BRT routes to cater to the mobility needs of all road users in a safe and efficient environment.

Also, a Multi Model Transport Hub (MMTH) has been planned near the sub-city centre in Sector 120, where commuters would be able to interchange between metro and BRT.

The three BRT routes are:

BRT route 1

Planned as a loop, this route will connect the residential Sectors, Sector-62 city centre, railway station, Udyog Nagar and the Knowledge City along the railway line.

Further, it will connect sectors 84 to 90 along the proposed PR-8 road, which passes through the industrial sectors and meets the Chandigarh BRT at Sector 40-41 junction. An extension of this route will connect sectors 74, 74-Alpha, 91, 92, 117, 118, 119, 121 and MMTH in Sector 120.

BRT route 2

This route is planned right through the centre of the city along the PR-7 road. Also, BRT route 2A will connect the airport, Udyog Nagar, Transport Nagar and meet BRT route-1 at the junction of sectors 84, 85, 99 and 100.

BRT route-3

It is proposed along the Kharar-Banur highway to cater to the regional traffic.

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2520/metrocrisscross.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5940/06022010164004.jpg

---DONE---

Done?

Is Ludhiana really plans about metro?

Monorail just like the mumbai one is best for chandigarh.

Quick to build, mould it anywhere even into most densley populated areas, cheaper and best suited for population size.

Go for Monorail chandigarh. Asthetically pleasing as well. (delhis eye sore electric poles for metro)

Source (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/mohali-panchkula-to-be-in-metro-phase-i/646180/)
Chandigarh Administrations of Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab on Tuesday agreed to the extended the Metro rail project till Mohali as well as Panchkula in the first phase.
Talks were on for sometime and today UT Administrator Shivraj Patil and finance secretary Sanjay Kumar took the decision. The terms of the project will be sent to the Delhi Metro for making the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

Confirming this, sources with the administration said the terms of references, based on which the DPR will be formed, were accepted and signed by representatives of Punjab and Haryana.

The metro stations would come up mainly in the densely populated areas. Two major metro stations will come up at Sector 17 and Sector 43.

Speaking to Newsline, a senior official from the administration said, “We had been discussing the metro route for Phase I for some time. Today, it was officially accepted by all state.”

In Chandigarh, the metro stations are expected to come up in Sector 9, 22, 34, 35, 17, 43, Manimajra, Dadumajra and many others place.

I dont know whether it was posted before or not.

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5006/metrowc.jpg (http://img231.imageshack.us/i/metrowc.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

It seems like a typically hyped Hindi news report....Only 2 or max.3 corridors might get built eventually..Get real people...even Delhi or Mumbai doesn't have 7 corridors yet..don't know why the authorities always manage to project fancy dreams and then disappoint the whole population..but guess what ..they should know by now that the population is very smart!

^^ Delhi does have 7 actually :D

Anyways what they are talking about is the masterplan, they will not build all 7 simultaneously. Delhi also started with 3 lines only.

As of now the demand will be not be very high as the population of the city is just over 1 million. It will take decades for the city and metropolitan region to have sizable population to support metro. Till then it will remain a white elephant. Initially 2 cross lines will be sufficient.

:yes:
+1
agree.....but there is yet another aspect to this discussion.....IMO the metro if built will definitely lead to more and more commercial, industrial and residential development in the far flung areas or less developed areas or areas where there is open land :)

Source (http://www.zeenews.com/news667685.html)
Metro rail service will be introduced in Ludhiana, Chandigarh and some other cities in the country in the next few years.

This was stated by Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan after receiving the Sat Paul Mittal Award for his outstanding contribution to humanity at a function here today.

A report about setting up of the metro project in Ludhiana, estimated to cost Rs 6,600 crore, was submitted last year, he said.

About the Chandigarh metro, Sreedharan said a survey was in progress and two corridors had been identified in this regard.

He said other cities where metro service was being planned include Mumbai, Banglore, Lucknow, Chennai, Kolkata (second line), Hyderabad, Jaipur and Kochi.

The Metro man shared the Sat Paul Mittal award with Chanchala Pathi Dasa, Vice-Chairman of the Akshaya Patra Foundation.

The award consists of a citation, a medal and Rs four lakh in cash.

^^
WoW.. Now that is a real sign of 21st century India..just imagine when cities like Ludhiana n CGarh get metro in the coming years with apopulation of 1.5 Million only.
whereas cities like Delhi, Mumbai n KKata had to wait more than 50 years to become 10-15 times bigger than them to get a metro with 20 Million humans !!
This will help as a precedent to build metro in other small towns like Bhopal, Nagpur, Patna, Luckhnow, Kanpur etc. as well...
Oye Lucky Lucky Oye Punjaabiiiii !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:banana:

Don't get too excited man, that will always remain in planned stage.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Youths-killed-in-accidents/articleshow/7031825.cms)
Two youths lost their lives in separate accidents in Panchkula on Thursday. A resident of Kurukshetra, Pawan Kumar, 25, slipped and was crushed while getting off a train at Chandimandir railway station. In another incident, Karanpal, 26, was seriously injured when his motorcycle skidded and hit a large boulder near Barwala bus stand on Thursday morning. He was rushed to Sector-6 General Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Brothers held for forgery: Panchkula police on Thursday arrested two brothers in a forgery case. Accused have been identified as Rajesh Dhawan and Rajdeep Dhawan, both residents of Sector 15. The accused's sister, Renu Nanda, had lodged a complaint that the two had forged signatures of their dead father on documents relating to house no. 15 in Sector 15 and applied for an NOC from HUDA, apart from mortgaging the property.

PCR no. on the blink for 2 hours: Chandigarh residents faced inconvenience for more than two hours when phone number-100 of police control room was disrupted due to a technical snag in BSNL lines on Thursday.

HC reserves order: Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on the controversial selection process of assistant sub-inspectors (ASI) in UT police held in 2008. The single bench headed by justice MM Kumar also asked UT administration to place on record the answer sheets (subjective paper) of all the successful candidates. The recruitments were nullified by UT police after two constables Shamsher Singh and Amardeep Singh were arrested on charges of facilitating paper-leak and paying Rs 10 lakh to get the question papers solved.

Central help sought for Metro: UT administration has decided to knock the doors of ministry of urban development to seek 50% financial contribution for the Metro Rail project. A formal go-ahead for hiring Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for preparing the detailed project report has also been sought. Sources said the issue of non-availability of funds came up during a review meeting of the project.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/UT-seeks-states-money-for-Metro/articleshow/7074011.cms)
UT administration has finally decided to bring Punjab and Haryana on board for pooling in funds for the Metro Rail project.

The decision has come in view of the neighbouring states insisting on the tube network being extended into their territories in the first phase itself. Details of cost-sharing, with contributions from all three stakeholders, will be worked out shortly.

As per the initial plan, a special purpose vehicle called Chandigarh Urban Complex Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (CUMTC) would be set up. It would function under the Regional and Urban Transport Development Board and could be a joint venture company with 50:50 equity participation from UT and the ministry of urban development. The two states were to join with equity participation.

The CUMTC would arrange funds through equity to be contributed by all partners. It would have the powers to raise debt funds from any of the national or international financial institutions and banks as well as raise long term bonds.

''In its report, RITES has suggested that since the project would benefit the city, it is important that a substantial part of the project cost is funded through local sources. The proposed metro system passes along Himalaya Marg and Vikas Marg where abutting land is lying vacant for commercial purposes and is still to be sold. The proposed system will greatly benefit the businesses which will be developed after some time on these roads,'' a UT official said.

In this context, RITES has proposed that the unsold commercial land along Himalaya Marg and Vikas Marg (about 230 acres) may be handed over to the SPV for revenue generation through auction. Of this 50% will be available for commercial sale.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Mini-AC-bus-fleet-to-go-big/articleshow/7089668.cms)
Those who are sick and tired of driving or riding on the usually congested city roads due to the heavy flow of vehicular traffic, there would soon be a comfortable option of riding in mini AC buses with 45 more such vehicles being pressed into action in the weeks to come.

At present, there are 30 AC mini buses of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) on the roads. However, these were proving to be inadequate. With the addition of these buses, the frequency would also improve.

And before the mercury begins to soar again, city residents will get the luxury of travelling in air-conditioned buses to their long route destinations. In a first for CTU, AC buses will be rolled out on far-off destinations like Delhi, Manali, Dehradun and Gurgaon. In the first phase 20 buses will be introduced.

CTU director ML Sharma said details of both the proposals were being worked out and it had been a long-cherished dream of the undertaking to ply temperature-controlled buses on long routes as well.

The move to run more mini AC buses is in keeping with the mass rapid transit system (MRTS) planned for Chandigarh as part of Metro Rail project expected to be implemented in four years.

According to plans, after alighting at the nearest Metro station, a passenger would have an option of taking a mini AC bus home. To achieve this, the fleet of these ?cool? vehicles would have to be increased substantially. Under the service, which was launched in 2008, 30 buses are already on the roads.

The consultancy arm of Indian Railways, RITES, has prepared the comprehensive mobility plan and assessed the long-term requirements of public transport in the region including movement of traffic on roads, bus service, population growth and density of areas.

A catchment area for every Metro station would be identified in a way that mini AC buses could ferry passengers from their sectors to the tube. The locations of bus queue shelters on V3 roads along with pedestrian underpasses are also being finalized by UT under the plan.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Transit-projects-stuck-Mess-to-stay-on-roads/articleshow/7207577.cms)With two ambitious city transport projects - Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) and Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) - being perennially delayed, the existing chaos on Chandigarh roads is not likely to improve any time soon.

Though the UT administration has simultaneously started work on BRTS and MRTS projects, both Punjab and Haryana governments have been reluctant in carrying it forward citing shortage of finances as a problem.

The much-publicized Metro rail project was conceptualized by former UT administrator General (retd) SF Rodrigues five years ago. He had approached the urban development ministry and brought the project on track before handing over charge of the city. The Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES), while preparing the draft plan of Metro under the MRTS, had also insisted on BRTS, rail corridors, underpasses and pathways for pedestrians. To streamline the traffic system in the city, RITES had suggested that both Metro and BRTS should be developed at the same time and work in tandem.

However, the UT claimed that Metro should be the priority and there is no pressing need for an integrated bus transit system. According to a senior official, "At present, we are focusing only on the Metro. Developing the BRTS requires extensive planning and will consume extra resources and space because it cannot run on one or two corridors but has to spread across the city."

Expressing concern over the slow progress of work on support provisions for BRTS like underpasses and cycle tracks, an official of the engineering department said, "After making an estimate of the travel requirements of the public, RITES had recommended a multi-level network. This meant that the modes of transport should be planned in such a way that they integrate with the Metro. But, the lack of finance to start the work is creating hindrances for us."

The UT administration had decided to set up a modern city bus service for providing seamless connectivity in the Chandigarh Urban Complex and also operate on the seven corridors suggested for MRTS network. The routes had to be modified after the commencement of Metro.

While taking a dig at the lack of interest by the UT administration planners, former principal of Chandigarh College of Architecture, SS Bhatti, said, "Ten years ago, I had suggested to the administration that they should restrict the number of vehicles per family but they did not listen. Now, when the UT has earned the status of being number one in per capita vehicles in the country, they are thinking of that move. But, it's too late."

Bhatti, however, offered another solution to arrest the increasing traffic problems on busy city roads and junctions. "The city?s urban development planners should immediately conduct a study on the waiting period at traffic lights. They must first know how many vehicles can cross the lights in the minimum time and adjust it according to the rush. Till then, there is very little hope of arresting the traffic chaos in the city," he said.

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/CHD-chandigarh-metro-high-level-meeting-on-jan-14-1741002.html

Chandigarh: The Central Government has given a final nod for running metro in the city. After this decision, the government officials from Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana have decided to attend a meeting at UT Guest House on January 14.

From the last few months, the State Government, Central Government and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) have been exchanging letters in this regard.

Till date, the Punjab and Haryana Government has not given a green signal for the Metro project.

For this project, the Punjab and Haryana Government has agreed to pay Rs 400 crores each. The entire project will cost around Rs 6800 crore project. The proposed Chandigarh metro rail will cover a distance of 52.4km, out of which 40.4km will lie in Chandigarh itself. The whole stretch will have a total of 50 stations.

The draft plan for the metro project has been prepared by RITES government agency.RITES in its report have proposed seven corridors for Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. The project will be completed in three phase. The Metro underground route is going to cost Rs 320 crore per kilometer while the surface route will cost Rs 140 crore per kilometer. The entire project will cost around Rs 15,000 crore.

Metro train route is likely to be extended to Jirakpur, Kharad, Naya Gaon, Pinjore. The project for metro rail in Chandigarh was proposed four years back by the name of Tri-city’.

A special group has also been formed to generate funds for this project.

The step is seen as a major plan of the government to revamp the ailing public transportation system of the Tri-city.

^^ Awesome news. 130 crore/km :banana:

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/CHD-chandigarh-metro-high-level-meeting-on-jan-14-1741002.html

The entire project will cost around Rs 6800 crore project.

The entire project will cost around Rs 15,000 crore.

What's this going on !

-- Delete --

same here? two rates ?What's this going on !

Oh I didnt notice it was repeated twice.

world class media guys you wouldnt understand

Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana to finalise terms for DPR (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110112/cth1.htm#8)

Chandigarh, January 11
The City Beautiful’s tube dream is getting a step closer to the reality. Senior officials of stakeholders, the Chandigarh Administration, Punjab government and Haryana government, will meet here on January 14 to approve the terms of reference proposed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to prepare the detailed project reports (DPR) for the prestigious project.

The finalisation of the terms of reference will be another step forward after the approval of the comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) prepared by the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) by the stakeholders.

Sources said after approval of the terms of reference, the DMRC would be in a position to prepare the DPR, which would see the feasibility of Metro for the region for taking care of the commuting needs of the people of the region. Based on the DPR, the stakeholders will be able to present its case for additional funds to the Central government, sources informed.

Under the first phase, two corridors are being laid for the tricity. While one corridor will connect the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat with Sector 75 of Mohali, another corridor will connect Sarangpur with Sector 15 of Panchkula.

The sources said the DPR was estimated to Rs 2.5 crore. Recently, the Union government had declined to fund the DPR to be prepared by the DMRC. The administration had desired that the Centre funded the DPR in the ratio of 50:50 since the UT was administered by the Centre.

In the CMP, RITES has proposed a mass rapid transport system (MRTS) comprising the Metro system (52.4 km), bus rapid transport (BRT) system (190.5 km) and commuter rail service (195 km) to be completed in three phases by 2030-31.

The phase I of the project likely to be completed by 2014-15 is pegged at a prohibitive Rs 10,765 crore. Since the Metro would benefit Punjab and Haryana in a major way in the backdrop of the sorry state of the public transport, major share has to come from these states.

The cost of the underground system is likely to cost around Rs 320 crore per km, whereas surface alignment is likely to cost Rs 140 crore per km.

There will be around 50 stations, each after approximately 1 km. To begin with, the frequency has been proposed at every 10 minutes, which could be reduced to three minutes with the passage of time.

Will stakeholders share DPR cost?

The stakeholders — Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana — are likely to share DPR cost since the Metro is the joint project of these states. Sources said the ultimate cost of the Metro project would be shared by these states, according to a mechanism devised by the stakeholders. In fact, after the preparation of the DPR, the stakeholders, particularly the Chandigarh Administration will be in a better position to demand funds for the MRTS, including the Metro.

^^ :cheers:

The first phase will be 52.4km and will have a total of 50 stations. Which corridors are to be taken first?

From Punjab, haryana sectariat towards Mohali and other one from chandigarh -Mohali border(North west chandigarh) to Panchkula

I meant which corridors. There were actually 7 proposed

Check post no. 6 on first page

^^ Thanks :cheers: comparing map and your previous post it looks like corridor 5. I hope they create a website soon or atleast news articles for more details

Just two corridors will cost more than 10000 crores ! What's the length of these corridors ?

The first phase consisting of two corridors will cover a distance of 52.4km at a cost of Rs 6800 crore (130 cr/km).

^^ not possible Rs130/ km... at least 225-250cr/ km... i don't know why are they still living in 2003?

Yes, I am too confused. there are absolutely no details as to length of elevated, ug stretches. As the phase-I also includes ug the cost should definitely be more than that

In chandigarh city it is going to be underground,no way they will allow it above the ground

^^ But it also cannot be completely underground

Not completely, But we have wide roads and with good medians, only thing is that will look ugly with overhead traction.

I think it will be underground near Chandigarh main areas and change to elevated towards Mohali, Panchkula both of which are to be linked in the first phase. Is the public transport in the city well developed?

Source (http://news.oneindia.in/2011/01/14/haryanapunjab-to-share-chandigarh-metro-projectcost-aid0126.html)
Haryana, Punjab to share Chandigarh Metro Project cost
Friday, January 14, 2011, 20:15 [IST]

Chandigarh, Jan 14 (PTI) Haryana and Punjab today agreedto share the cost of preparation of the Detailed ProjectReport (DPR) of Chandigarh Metro Rail Project with the Union Territory administration.

The officials of the three states met here today as partof their efforts to make a Detailed Project Report (DPR) forthe 19km line, including seven kms underground, from Sector 15in Panchkula in Haryana to Sarangpur in Punjab through variouslocalities of Chandigarh.


An official spokesman said after the meeting that both thestates agreed to the sharing of the cost for the preparationof the Detailed Project Report. Under this, 50 per cent of thecost will be borne by the U.T. Administration and 25 per centeach by Punjab and Haryana. (more) PTI AKA

The officials also agreed that the cost of the project shall be shared between U.T. Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana asper the actual kilometers being laid in their respectiveterritories. The actual cost would be known after thepreparation of the DPR.

Haryana and Punjab governments requested that the proposedMetro line should be extended till Sector 20 and Mullanpur inthe two states respectively as these areas were gettingthickly populated, the spokesman said.

Home Secretary of Chandigarh Ram Niwas said that as perthe proposal of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which isplanning the project, the line will run from Sector 15,Panchkula to Sarangpur via Sector-5 (Panchkula), DhillonComplex, Chandigarh Railway Station, Transport Nagar, Sector19, Chandigarh, PGI and Panjab University. .

To ensure proper coordination between the governments and the agencies, nodal officers were also appointed for therespective states. The Senior Town Planner, Panchkula, wasdesignated as the nodal officer for government of Haryanaand the Chief Administrator, Greater Mohali Area DevelopmentAuthority (GMADA), Punjab, will be the nodal officers inrespect of the government of Punjab.

The spokesman said that DMRC will be asked to commencework on the preparation of the DPR immediately after takinginto consideration the extensions in the proposed lines assuggested by Punjab and Haryana.

Among those who attended the meeting included Adviser toAdministrator, Chandigarh Pradip Mehra, Chief Secretaries ofHaryana and Punjab Urvashi Gulati and S C Aggarwal and seniorofficers of the three states, DMRC and RITES

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Punjab--Haryana-want-Metro-via-Mullanpur---Sector-20-Panchkula/737629/

oth states’ Chief Secys, UT Home Secy attend meet chaired by UT Adviser, broadly okay terms of reference on Metro Line-1

The state governments of Punjab and Haryana today broadly agreed on the Terms of Reference of the Metro project, submitted by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), whereby Line 1 of the Metro will connect Sector 15 of Panchkula to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) via certain major destinations like Chandigarh Railway Station. Representatives of Punjab and Haryana proposed that the Metro should touch Mullanpur in Punjab and Sector 20, Panchkula, in Haryana.

A meeting to discuss the Terms of Reference submitted by DMRC and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Metro in the Chandigarh Urban Complex (including Panchkula in Haryana and Mohali in Punjab) was held today at the UT Guest House, Sector 6. The Chief Secretaries of both the states and top bureaucrats of the UT, Punjab and Haryana attended the meeting which was chaired by UT Adviser Pradip Mehra.

Niwas gave a brief presentation on the MRTS project and the Terms of Reference submitted by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and discussions were held on the project. Line-1, according to the Terms of Reference submitted by DMRC, would run from Sector 15, Panchkula, to Sarangpur via Sector 5, Panchkula, Fun Republic, Chandigarh Railway Station, Transport Area, Sector 19, Chandigarh, PGIMER and Panjab University. The total length of this line will approximately be 19 km, including 7 km underground and 12 km elevated).

During the meeting, Punjab Chief Secretary S C Aggarwal and his Haryana counterpart Urvashi Gulati conveyed that both the state governments broadly agree with the Terms of References that have been submitted by DMRC. However, both the chief secretaries proposed that Line 1 of the Metro should be extended to Mullanpur in Punjab and Sector 20, Panchkula, in Haryana. Referring to the upcoming townships in Mullanpur and the thickly populated area of Sector 20, Panchkula, the two officers proposed revised agendas at the meeting.

On the question of costs, the two states agreed to share the costs of preparation of the Detailed Project Report. According to the agreement, the UT would bear 50 per cent of the cost and Punjab and Haryana would account for 25 per cent cost each for preparation of the Detailed Project Report. The three partners — Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana — also agreed that the cost of the project be shared among them, depending on the actual kilometers being covered in their respective territories.

http://www.bhaskar.com/article/PUN-OTH-now-in-punjab-rodegee-metro-1756918.html?HF=

ट्राईसिटी में मेट्रो का रास्ता साफ हो गया है। पंजाब और हरियाणा ने मेट्रो प्रोजेक्ट में अपनी पार्टनरशिप पर सहमति जता दी है। पहले चरण में पंचकुला के सेक्टर 20 तक और मोहाली में मुल्लांपुर तक मेट्रो दौड़ेगी। यह फैसला शुक्रवार को हुई पंजाब, हरियाणा तथा चंडीगढ़ के अफसरों की बैठक में लिया गया। बैठक में पंजाब एवं हरियाणा डिटेल प्रोजेक्ट रिपोर्ट के लिए 25-25 प्रतिशत राशि देने को भी तैयार हो गए। शेष 50 प्रतिशत राशि प्रशासन देगा।

इससे पहले पंचकूला के सेक्टर 15 और सारंगपुर तक मेट्रो ट्रेन चलाने की योजना थी। शुक्रवार को हुई मीटिंग में इसका रूट बढ़ाकर पंचकूला के सेक्टर 20 और मोहाली में मुल्लांपुर तक करने का फैसला हुआ। दिल्ली मेट्रो रेल कॉरपोरेशन (डीएमआरसी) इस प्रोजेक्ट की डिटेल प्रोजेक्ट रिपोर्ट (डीपीआर) तैयार करेगा।

डीएमआरसी ने डीपीआर तैयार करने के लिए 2.50 करोड़ रुपये मांगे हैं। हिमाचल प्रदेश ने इस प्रोजेक्ट में दिलचस्पी नहीं दिखाई है। इस वजह से अब पंजाब और हरियाणा को 25—25 प्रतिशत खर्च उठाना होगा। इस मीटिंग में डीएमआरसी के अफसर भी मौजूद थे। पहले फेज में 33 किलोमीटर एरिया में मेट्रो ट्रेन चलाने के लिए 8,000 करोड़ रुपये खर्च होंगे। इसमें से 6800 करोड़ चंडीगढ़ प्रशासन, 600 करोड़ रुपये पंजाब और 600 करोड़ रुपये हरियाणा देगा।

चंडीगढ़ अर्बन कॉम्प्लेक्स में कुल 145.3 किलोमीटर दूरी में 11 बस रैपिड ट्रांजिट (बीआरटी) कॉरिडोर्स बनाए जाएंगे। एमआरटीएस प्रोजेक्ट के लिए पंचकूला के सीनियर टाउन प्लानर को हरियाणा सरकार ने और पंजाब सरकार की ओर से गमाडा के एडमिनिस्ट्रेटर को नोडल अफसर नियुक्त किया गया है।

बैठक में प्रशासन के होम सेक्रेटरी राम निवास, पंजाब के चीफ सेक्रेटरी एससी अग्रवाल, हरियाणा की चीफ सेक्रेटरी उर्वशी गुलाटी, नगर प्रशासक के सलाहकार प्रदीप मेहरा सहित पंजाब एवं हरियाणा के कई उच्चधिकारियों ने भाग लिया।

फेज 1 प्रोजेक्ट का रूट
लाइन 1—सेक्टर 20 पंचकूला से मुल्लांपुर तक वाया सेक्टर 15, 5 (पंचकूला), ढिल्लों कॉम्प्लेक्स, चंडीगढ़ रेलवे स्टेशन, ट्रांसपोर्ट नगर, सेक्टर 19, पीजीआई, पंजाब यूनिवर्सिटी, सारंगपुर, मुल्लांपुर। कुल 20 किलोमीटर (अंडरग्राउंड 7 किलोमीटर और एलिवेटेड 13 किलोमीटर)

लाइन 2—सेक्रेटेरिएट से सेक्टर 75 (मोहाली) वाया रॉक गार्डन, सेक्टर 9, अरोमा चौक, सेक्टर 43, सेक्टर 52 (मोहाली), सेक्टर 72 (मोहाली)। कुल लंबाई 14 किलोमीटर (अंडरग्राउंड 8.7 किलोमीटर और एलिवेटेड 5.3 किलोमीटर

All big people in Punjab has purchased land in Mullapur(new chandigarh). Now they want metro there. It will be better if they make stops between sector 19 and PGI. Like sector 17,DAV college sector 10, Girls college and boys college and then PGI in first route

:banana: Great news for Chandigarh. I think it will run underground through Madhya Marg in Chandigarh.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/7288173.cms

Punjab and Haryana on Friday once again reiterated their demand for extending Metro Rail corridor upto Mullanpur in Mohali and Sector 20, Panchkula in Haryana, considering the high density of population.

In a meeting of the coordination committee of two states, it was resolved to share the cost of the project between the three parties as per the actual kilometres being laid in their respective territories.

Punjab chief secretary SC Agrawal and Haryana chief secretary Urvashi Gulati conveyed that both the state governments broadly agree with the terms of references that have been submitted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Home secretary Ram Niwas gave a presentation on the project.

In the first phase, DMRC has proposed two corridors on Metro. Line-1 will run from Sector 15, Panchkula to Sarangpur via Sector-5 (Panchkula), Dhillon Complex, railway station, transport nagar, Sector 19, Chandigarh, PGI and Panjab University. The total length of this line will approximately be 19 kilometres (underground 7 km and elevated 12 km).

Line 2 will connect Secretariat to Sector 75 (Mohali), via Rock Garden, Sector 9, Aroma Chowk, Sector 43, Sector 52 (Mohali), Sector 72 (Mohali) with a total length of 14 kms (8.7 km underground and elevated 5.3 km).

So far, DMRC has not begun work on the Detailed Project Report (DPR) as it is waiting for consent of the other stakeholders. The agency will now be asked to commence work on the preparation of the DPR immediately after taking into consideration the extensions in the proposed lines as suggested by Punjab and Haryana.

To ensure proper coordination between the governments and the agencies, nodal officers have been appointed. The senior town planner, Panchkula, was designated as the nodal officer for the Government of Haryana and the chief administrator, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Mohali, Punjab, will be the nodal officers for Punjab regarding the MRTS project.

Read more: Pb, Hry reiterate demand for metro - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Pb-Hry-reiterate-demand-for-metro/articleshow/7288173.cms#ixzz1BO11sp5F

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Residents-seek-metro-link-beyond-Ghaggar/articleshow/7344246.cms)
Residents seek metro link beyond Ghaggar

PANCHKULA: After a demand by residents near the Ghaggar river to extend the metro rail terminal to sectors 23 and 28, Haryana chief secretary has recently sent a proposal to the finance department.

The decision was made during a meeting of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) authorities and government officials. Initially, the project was proposed till Sector 20 but later, authorities agreed for the extension.

Ghaggar inhabitants, who felt ignored had sought an extension during the first phase. However, their demand is yet to be approved by the government and the proposal might be realized after a budgetary report.

Residents said that over half a dozen small townships had emerged after the formation of Panchkula but no viable transportation existed.

"As many as 15 new housing societies have come up in sectors 26, 27 and 28 with a population of around 20-25 thousand. Due to proximity with Gurdwara Naada Sahib, police line and ITBP headquarters, devotees in large numbers pay homage everyday and roads are congested during gurpurab celebrations. The metro might provide some relief to commuters," said Subhash Kapoor, joint action committee president.

"Sectors across Ghaggar river are also a part of Panchkula and people commute to Tricity daily. They should not be ignored," said SK Nayyar, CWA president.

Haryana chief secretary Urvashi Gulati said, "We have asked the finance department to make a budgetary proposal after which, the report would be provided."

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Residents-seek-metro-link-beyond-Ghaggar/articleshow/7344246.cms)After a demand by residents near the Ghaggar river to extend the metro rail terminal to sectors 23 and 28, Haryana chief secretary has recently sent a proposal to the finance department.

The decision was made during a meeting of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) authorities and government officials. Initially, the project was proposed till Sector 20 but later, authorities agreed for the extension.

Ghaggar inhabitants, who felt ignored had sought an extension during the first phase. However, their demand is yet to be approved by the government and the proposal might be realized after a budgetary report.

Residents said that over half a dozen small townships had emerged after the formation of Panchkula but no viable transportation existed.

"As many as 15 new housing societies have come up in sectors 26, 27 and 28 with a population of around 20-25 thousand. Due to proximity with Gurdwara Naada Sahib, police line and ITBP headquarters, devotees in large numbers pay homage everyday and roads are congested during gurpurab celebrations. The metro might provide some relief to commuters," said Subhash Kapoor, joint action committee president.

"Sectors across Ghaggar river are also a part of Panchkula and people commute to Tricity daily. They should not be ignored," said SK Nayyar, CWA president.

Haryana chief secretary Urvashi Gulati said, "We have asked the finance department to make a budgetary proposal after which, the report would be provided."

arey kya lagaa rakha hai......

extend extend extend extend extend extend.........


finally a day will come when chandigarh and delhi metro will merge :lol:

its good news that govt is serious about Metro rail now .
but the plan is not looking promosing as it lacks in common stations and 7 corridors are much more than what is required.
for the design they can take example of big cities of other conutries like Oslo city in Norway has only 4 corridors that covers whole Oslo city.

other than this I am wondering they have ignored Kalka and Pinjore that is just 9 K.M from Panchkula . these two towns has lot of daily commuters to the city , tourist places and last but not the least Kalka-Shimla world heritage rail track .

so govt should think about this as this is going to be very big implementation.

thanks
Atul.

Tricity Metro rail proposal crosses major obstacle
Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tricity-metro-rail-proposal-crosses-major-obstacle/752090/)
UT gets Punjab & Haryana govts’ written commitment to share Rs 2.5 cr expenses for preparation of detailed project report by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

It’s a green signal for the much talked about Metro rail in the Tricity, with both Punjab and Haryana sending their written approval to the UT Administration for sharing the Rs 2.5 crores expenses to be incurred on the preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).The DPR is expected in four to five months.

The DPR is significant for the Metro Rail project as it is only after the DPR is prepared that the actual work can begin on the ground. The estimated cost, as quoted by DMRC, of preparing the DPR for the project’s 33-km first phase is Rs 2.5 crore. An additional fee of Rs 8 lakh per km will be charged in addition to the specified length.

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Earlier, both the states had agreed in principle to share the cost of the DPR, with the two states contributing 25 per cent each of the cost of DPR while the UT Administration would bear 50 per cent of the cost.

Sources said that the UT Administration received the approval through the respective nodal officers of the two states. While the approval from the Punjab government has come through the Chief Administrator (CA) of the Greater Mohali Urban Development Authority (GMADA), the Haryana government has sent its approval through the Panchkukla Senior Town Planner.

At a joint meeting held on January 14 between the stakeholders, the chief secretaries of both Punjab and Haryana had agreed in principle to share the costs of the DPR. Prior to this, the Union government had turned down the request by the UT Administration to bear the cost of the DPR.

The Ministry of Urban Development had then clarified to the UT Administration that it had no separate budget for the DPR and that the stakeholders would have to bear the costs on their own.

Proposed routes

* Line I: From Sector 20 (Panchkula) to Mullanpur via Sarangpur passing through Sectors 5 and 15 in Panchkula, Dhillon complex, Mani Majra, Chandigarh railway station, Transport Nagar, Sector 19, Chandigarh, PGI and PU. The total length of this line will be approx 19 km, including 7 km underground and 12 km elevated

* Line II: From UT Secretariat to Sector 75 (Mohali) via Rock Garden, Sector 9, Hotel Aroma crossing, Sector 43 and Sectors 62 & 72 (Mohali), with underground line of 8.7 km and elevated line of 5.3 km.

Metro stuck in report stage

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Metro-stuck-in-report-stage/articleshow/7888962.cms)
The only 'on-track' project of UT administration, Metro Rail is set to get delayed as for the past one year UT has not been able to make Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) begin work on the detailed project report (DPR).

Exactly a year ago, on April 2, 2010, the then finance secretary, Sanjay Kumar, had claimed that after a meeting with its managing director, E Sreedharan, DMRC had started preparing the document. However, the detailed planning is yet to kick off to work out aspects like location of stations and exact alignment of the Metro corridors.

UT administration has again written to DMRC to start preparing the DPR so that work on the ground could start as early as possible.

Finance secretary VK Singh said the DPR is expected to be ready in six months. The decision of the ministry of urban development not to make budget allocation for bearing the cost of preparing the detailed project report (DPR) for Metro had also come as a bolt from the blue for UT in December 2010.

The ministry has asked UT administration to generate sources locally for paying the bill of Rs 2.5 crore to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for preparing the final plan. UT is, however, yet to make a demand for funding for the overall project from the ministry. Otherwise, work on the DPR should have begun soon after the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for mass rapid transit system was prepared by RITES in 2009.

As per the initial plan, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) by the name of Chandigarh Urban Complex Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (CUMTC) would be set up. It would function under the Regional and Urban Transport Development Board and could be a joint venture company with 50:50 equity participation from UT and the ministry of urban development.

The CUMTC would arrange for funds through equity to be contributed by all partners. It would have the powers to raise debt funds from any of the national/international financial institutions, banks and raise long term bonds.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-07/chandigarh/29392193_1_trams-master-plan-ut

The ambitious metro rail project in the city is moving slowly and now the administration is also thinking on new lines for a public transport solution ' tram lines to be exact. An affidavit submitted in court by UT on Wednesday in Punjab and Haryana High Court for seeking six more months to complete the master plan of the city, stated that trams might be started ''in place of metro''.

The affidavit cited the process for deciding between trams and metro as one of the reasons for delay in the completion of the master plan.

UT senior standing counsel Sanjay Kaushal submitted the affidavit and stated that introduction of trams in city was discussed at length in a meeting with the director transport (Chandigarh) and following that, feedback had been sought from RITES ' the consulting agency engaged for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) of the comprehensive mobility plan for Chandigarh. He mentioned that feedback was still awaited.

The affidavit was filed in response to an ongoing PIL, in which directions were sought for a master plan for Chandigarh. HC had directed administration in December 2009 to prepare a master plan within one month.

Since then, UT has been delaying the master plan's submission for one reason or another.

On Wednesday, UT also stated that process for preparing the plan was lengthy and various studies needed to be completed and feedback taken from many agencies before it could be carried out.

The affidavit was placed on record before the division bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, which adjourned the case for September 7 for further hearing.

Administration is considering the concept of trams in city in pursuance of earlier HC directions, which had asked UT to check the feasibility of running trams here. HC had also asked UT to study European cities like Copenhagen in Denmark, which had trams there. In India, only the city of Kolkata has trams at present.

:nuts: Why trams, IMO BRTS is better if metro is not affordable

^^ +1

City's BRT plan fails to gather momentum

Source (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-19/chandigarh/29446394_1_brt-corridors-lanes-traffic-management)
Solutions to the growing traffic congestion offered by consultancy arm of Indian Railways RITES last year in its comprehensive mobility plan as part of mass rapid transit system are yet to be implemented.

Two types of bus rapid transit (BRT) system with lanes dedicated to bus travel is yet to be introduced. The BRT can easily handle passenger flow in the range of about 4000 to 20000 passengers per hour per direction depending upon the lanes (number, type) dedicated to bus system.

Though UT is waiting for the detailed project report for launching metro rail, the detailed plan for effective traffic management is ready.

The corridors where the demand is up to 20000 peak hour peak direction trips (PHPDT), the BRT will have space of two lanes on each side and will have priority at signalized points and grade separation at junctions. One lane of BRT on each side will be given on BRT corridors where maximum demand is expected to be around 10000 PHPDT. As roads in Chandigarh urban complex do not have the problem of side friction due to commercial activities on road side, it is proposed to have BRT system lane on sides of the road, instead of central lane.

RITES has suggested that in addition to improving the fleet capacity, rationalization of routes, improvement in traffic management at junctions including priority signalling for buses, provision of proper road side bus stops and integration points with the metro and BRT will provide effective use of the bus system.

Apart from BRT, the need for extensive repair and up gradation of footpaths in the city also needs to be taken up as part of MRTS. The agency has pointed out that the existing footpaths have insufficient widths of less than 1.5 meters, uneven surface because of settlement of base course and improper covering of service lanes and manholes. It has been suggested that footpaths along 220 km of roads be built.

Acording to the agency, 90 per cent of the population should be served by public transport. Trip origins and destination will be within 500m of public transport terminal and stops.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/335901/Chandigarh-Metro-project-Top-officials-meet-May-5.html

The ambitious metro rail project of Chandigarh would move a step closer to become a reality, when representatives from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation would meet the UT top brass on May 5 and would also inspect the proposed metro lines in the Tri-city.

The work for metro rail project would finally kick off on ground on May 5 with officials of DMRC visiting the city to work out the aspects including alignment of the metro corridors, location of metro stations and lines in the City Beautiful.

“The officials from DMRC would meet the UT senior officials concerning the city’s ambitious metro project that proposes to link Chandigarh with satellite towns of Panchkula and Mohali,” said a senior official of the UT Administration while talking to The Pioneer.

He said: “The DMRC officials would scrutinise the proposed metro links and would check the viability of the same. The work on metro project would start on ground level after the visit of DMRC officials here.”

“The meeting with the DMRC officials would be significant to finalise the metro lines and other details concerning the preparation of detailed project report (DPR) for the project,” he said.

The official said: “The DMRC is yet to initiate the process to prepare the DPR for the metro project and after visiting the proposed locations in the metro project, the DMRC would start working on the same.”

“The DPR would take nearly six months to be completed. Punjab and Haryana Government would share 25 per cent cost each for the funding of DPR to be prepared by DMRC for the project while 50 per cent funding cost will be borne by the City Administration out of the total amount of `2.5 crore, as decided in a meeting on January 15,”he added.

The senior officials from Punjab and Haryana Government, representatives from DMRC, Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) and top hierarchy of City Administration met on January 15, to finalise the terms and conditions for the DPR for the metro project. The routes for the metro lines were also finalised in the meeting.

To prepare the DPR for the Phase-I of the project comprising nearly 33 kms, the DMRC had quoted a total fee of `2.5 crore. The project has a total length of 64.3 kms including 44.8 kms in Chandigarh, 6.5 kms in Panchkula (Haryana) and 13 kms in Mohali (Punjab).

The Metro will be extended upto Mullanpur in Punjab and Sector 20 Panchkula in Haryana. The Line-1 of the Metro project will run from Sector 15, Panchkula to Sarangpur via Panchkula’s Sector-5, Dhillon Complex, Chandigarh Railway Station, Transport Nagar, city’s Sector 19, PGIMER and Panjab University. The total length of this Line will be nearly 19 kms (underground 7 kms and elevated 12 kms).

Line 2 of the Metro will be from Secretariat to Sector 75 (Mohali) via Rock Garden, Sector 9, Aroma Chowk, Sector 43, Sector 52 (Mohali), Sector 72 (Mohali) with a total length of 14 kms (underground 8.7 kms and elevated 5.3 kms).

http://www.dayandnightnews.com/2011/05/chandigarhs-metro-dream-turning-into-reality-officials-said/

Work on the the Detailed Project report for the proposed Chandigarh Metro Project seems to be finally gathering steam.

Officials from DMRC, Punjab and Haryana would likely visit the city this week to review the site.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which has been given the task of preparing the Detailed Project Report for the proposed Chandigarh Metro project, is all set to take the first step. According to senion UT officials, the DMRC officials are likely to visit on 5th May to do a recce of the city. The team will also inspect the proposed routes to Panchkula and Mohali. Officials from Delhi will have a meeting with UT authorities along with senior representatives from Punjab and Haryana to discuss various aspects about the project. Thereafter, the work on the Detailed Project Report will start for which UT Chandigarh will pay 50 % of the cost with the rest to be equally shared by Punjab and Haryana.

The DPR will take around 6 months to complete and will analyze various aspects including the very feasibility and cost of the whole project. The cost of the metro will be shared between U.T. Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana as per the actual kilometers that will be laid in their respective areas.

Delhi team to restart work on Metro rail
TNN (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Delhi-team-to-restart-work-on-Metro-rail/articleshow/8164296.cms)| May 5, 2011, 04.53am IST
CHANDIGARH: After a year's inertia, Metro rail project is finally making some progress as work on the detailed project report is set to begin soon. A team of experts from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) would be in Chandigarh on Thursday to discuss terms of reference for working out details of the five main corridors.

Though RITES submitted the comprehensive mobility plan for mass rapid transit system in July 2009, in January 2010 UT had decided to hire DMRC for planning intricate details like exact location of stations and routes.

Meanwhile, senior UT officials have decided to begin work on the bus rapid transit system and traffic management steps suggested by RITES so that work on Metro rail could begin soon after the project report is ready.

The five Metro corridors to be constructed would include a 5-km stretch into Panchkula and another 12-km link for Mohali residents. These would connect Chandigarh's Sector 52 with Mohali's Sector 104. The other three corridors would be Khuda Lahora-IT Park on Madhya Marg, Sector 1-ISBT 43-Sector 52 on Himalya Marg and Sector 26-Sector 38-Dadu Majra, covering Purva Marg and Vikas Marg.

A large network of medium-level mass transport system will be provided to cover areas beyond the Metro network and on overloaded corridors.

Work on readying Metro Rail DPR gets started
Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/work-on-readying-metro-rail-dpr-gets-started/786600/)
The process for preparing the Detailed Project Report for Metro Rail was initiated today. A team from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation came to the city and inspected the sites of the corridors proposed for the Metro. The DPR is likely to be completed in six months.

While RITES had suggested five corridors, two would be constructed - the North-South and East-West corridors. The team went from Capitol Complex to Sohana and from Panchkula to Sarangpur doing a recce of the locations.

RITES had prepared a comprehensive mobility plan for mass rapid transit system in January 2010. It was in January last that DMRC was hired for making the detailed plans. The DPR would analyse the feasibility and cost of the project. The UT Administration would pay 50 per cent of the cost of making the DPR, while the remaining would be divided between Punjab and Haryana. The first corridor is planned from Mullanpur to Sector 20 Panchkula via IT park and Manimajra. There are likely to be three stations in Panckula in the first phase. The main would be in Sector 10 at the Panchkula bus stand.

The second corridor will be from Sector 1 in Chandigarh to Sector 62 Mohali. It will pass through several sectors and move from the dividing road of Sectors 16-17 and 42-43 in Chandigarh. The major metro stations in Chandigarh have been planned at both ISBT-43 and ISBT-17. Finance Secretary V K Singh said, “The team toured the locations today. The process for making the detailed project report has been started. It would take around six months for the report to be completed. There feasibility of construction of the two corridors and the cost involved would be looked into.”

Once the DPR is ready, the exact cost of the project would be known. The cost of construction would also be shared between Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana.

Metro gets real, to start with 2 corridors

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Metro-gets-real-to-start-with-2-corridors/articleshow/8172962.cms)
The UT on Thursday decided to go ahead with only two corridors of Metro Rail, touching Panchkula and Mohali, in the project's first phase. The administration will, however, make changes in the three other routes that were part of the original plan so that the project becomes cost-effective.

The five corridors were planned by RITES, the Indian Railway's consultancy arm, in the comprehensive mobility it had submitted.

''The other routes crisscrossing the city will be too costly to build and the corridors need to be planned afresh to cover remaining areas of the city judiciously,'' said a team of experts of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The team has officially begun working on a detailed project report (DPR) for Chandigarh's Metro after a meeting with finance secretary V K Singh on Thursday. The report is expected to be submitted in six months from now.

Accepting the expert advice, UT has decided to go ahead with the plan and construct the first two corridors (Panchkula's Sector 21-PGI-Sarangpur and Capitol Complex-Mohali) as soon as the DPR comes in. In the meantime, DMRC and RITES will jointly plan the details of the remaining three corridors for the second phase.

The DMRC's primary job will be to finalize intricate alignments of the corridors, with exact locations of the stations. The team also conducted a recce of the areas proposed to be covered by Metro Rail after discussing the terms with UT officials.

The Indian Railways will also be roped in as the multi-mode mass rapid transit system will also have bus corridors and commuter rails ferrying passengers from catchment areas to the nearest Metro station.

Of the total length of 64.3 kilometres of Metro, 44.8 km will be in Chandigarh, 6.5 km in Panchkula and 13 km in Mohali. Eleven bus rapid transit corridors, covering 145.3 km, have also been proposed.

The DMRC had quoted a total fee of Rs 2.5 crore plus service tax to prepare the DPR for phase I of the project that is extended over 33 km.

Work on metro project report gets under way

Source (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110506/cth1.htm#3)
Putting the city’s ambitious metro rail project under the mass rapid transport system back on track, a team of the Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) on Thursday commenced preliminary work on the preparation of the detailed project report on its feasibility. A DMRC team, led by executive director SD Sharma, inspected various proposed corridors and alignments for the metro.

The Rs 15,000-crore project is aimed at easing traffic problems in the tricity and providing an affordable and faster means of transportation for commuters.

Earlier, at a meeting with UT finance secretary VK Singh and attended by senior Punjab and Haryana government officials, the team discussed various modalities for drawing up the project report, on the basis of which various stakeholders will be in a position to press for more funds from the central government.

Officials said the team’s visit was significant as it would go a long way in moving the project from the proposal to the concrete stage. “In fact, the site inspection and today’s meeting mark the beginning of the real work on the project,” said Singh.

In the project’s first phase, scheduled to be completed by 2014-15 at a cost of Rs 10,765 crore, two corridors --one from the Punjab & Haryana Civil Secretariat to Sector 75 in Mohali and the other from Sarangpur in Chandigarh to Sector 15, Panchkula - are being built.

Last January the UT administration and the Punjab and Haryana governments approved the terms of reference proposed by Rail India Technical & Economic Services (RITES).

Metro team arrives this week

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Metro-team-arrives-this-week/articleshow/8200849.cms)
Work on Metro Rail project is set to gather pace as Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to base a team of experts in Chandigarh to carry out spot surveys as part of its task to prepare the detailed project report. The team is expected to arrive in the city this week. For the two corridors to be built in the first phase, DMRC will give details of the exact alignments so that actual work could be started by next year.

UT administration has also decided to convene a joint meeting of Indian Railways, RITES and DMRC shortly so that implementation of the mass rapid transit system could kick off in Tricity.

The comprehensive mobility plan focuses on effective traffic management in Chandigarh Urban Complex till 2041 by providing seamless connectivity.

A catchment area for every Metro station will be identified in a way that mini AC buses could ferry passengers from their sectors to the tube. The locations of bus queue shelters on V3 roads along with pedestrian underpasses are also being finalized under the plan.

The proposed MRTS system is likely to cost around Rs 10 thousand crore. As per the CMP, a common mechanism in form of a special purpose vehicle would have to be created for execution of such projects in which the neighbouring states might like to be equity holders.

The extended region of the traffic study consisted of Zirakpur, Kharar, Derabassi, Alipur-Kot Behla complex, Kalka-Pinjore Complex, Parwanoo and Baddi.

Trams, mono rail and Metro to operate together in Chandigarh

Source (http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/CHD-trams-mono-rail-and-metro-to-operate-together-in-chandigarh-2089151.html)
The city’s basic character has not changed, neither has its needs, yet the frequent transfers of the officials have resulted in constant changes in the plans for the transport. The residents of Chandigarh have been shown big dreams; some times about Mono Rail, then about sky buses, followed by metro and now trams. Yet nothing constructive has been done.

Now the government plans to bring in metro, mono rail and trams to the city all under one plan. According to sources, the authorities plan to introduce trams in the areas where the metro and mono rail cannot reach. Officials say that trams will prove cheaper in comparison to mono rail and metro.

From 2003, plans have been made for the transport development but nothing positive has happened in the last eight years, only the costs have gone up.

The authorities are still clueless about what mode of commutation the city requires.

According to the latest stats, every house in Chandigarh has around three cars, which has further confused the officials as to which transport facility will ease the traffic mess effectively.

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/dmrc-and-chandigarh-officials-discuss-metro-project/680430.html

The officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation met Chandigarh administration's top brass here today and discussed the ambitious project which proposes to link the city with the satellite towns of Mohali and Panchkula. "The DMRC officials were here last week. They are here today and our officials are discussing various aspects of the project with them," K K Sharma, Advisor to the Chandigarh Administrator, told a news conference here. The DMRC officials are here to scrutinise the proposed links and check their feasibility after which a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be prepared. Earlier in January, senior officials from Punjab and Haryana Government, RITES, a Central government enterprise, officials from DMRC and Chandigarh Union Territory officials had met to finalise the terms and conditions for the DPR for the metro project. Sharma stressed that integrated planning was a must in Chandigarh's peripheral areas. "It is important that the administrations of Chandigarh and its satellite towns work together so that problems like congestion on roads can be solved," he said. The advisor said that the administration was also looking at the feasibility of having a dedicated bus lanes on some routes in the city to decongest the traffic and was planning to take help from Punjab Engineering College here and IIT, Delhi, in this regard. Top brass of Chandigarh were present in the news conference including Home Secretary Ram Niwas, Finance Secretary V K Singh, Deputy Commissioner Brijendra Singh, Inspector General of Police, Pradeep Srivastava and Chandigarh's SSP, Naunihal Singh. When asked to comment on mushrooming of illegal paying guest accommodations in the city, especially in the southern sectors, the Deputy Commissioner admitted that virtually negligible PGs have got themselves registered. "We are trying to work out a policy. Some issues have come up with regards to the PGs and we will soon take concrete action," Brijendra said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/routes-decided-aerocity-is-now-on-chandigarh-metro-map/789891/

Two routes for the Metro Rail were decided upon at a meeting held here on Thursday. With changes made in the alignment of its routes, one will now also pass through Aerocity in Mohali.

As part of the process to prepare the detailed project report, a discussion was held during the meeting to finalise the two routes and their terminal stations.

The first route will run from the north of the city to the south, starting from a site close to Capitol Complex near Secretariat, High Court and Rock Garden. It will reach Sector 17 Plaza through UT Secretariat on Jan Marg, Sector 22, 35, ISBT 43 and go to Mohali, where it will pass through Aerocity and City Centre to terminate at Sohana, after taking a turn near Sohana gurdwara.

The other route known as the East-West Corridor will start from Sector 21, Panchkula, and lead to the railway station in Chandigarh, crossing Sector 17 Plaza, PGI, Sarangpur, and reach Mullanpur.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Rain India Technical and Economic Services (RITES), Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Railways, Punjab Engineering College, and officials from the Punjab and Haryana governments.

The construction of depots for both these routes requires 25 acres of land each. Haryana has communicated that it has the required land available in Sector 21 of Panchkula. Punjab is offering two sites for the depots of both routes — one at Mullanpur and the other at Aerocity.

A detailed alignment will be decided specially to suit the future expansion plan of Chandigarh railway station. Respective nodal officers have to finalise the locations of proposed stations in their territory. Roughly, the elevated portion will have stations at every 1 kilometre, while the underground portion will have them at an average distance of 1.2 km.

Speaking at the meeting, UT Finance Secretary V K Singh said attempts were on to make a “working Metro” in Tricity a reality soon. GMADA Chief Administrator Sarvjit Singh emphasised the need to extend the east-west route upto Zirakpur from Sector 21, Panchkula. But DMRC and RITES officials were of the view that this required more deliberation. These alignments and the station plan will have to be approved by the respective governments in order to avoid problems in their implementation.
The DMRC assured that the detailed project report, along with the proposed financial model, would be submitted on time within six months. The team of DMRC and RITES will work on the project in direct contact with different agencies and a review will be done in two weeks.

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/CHD-chandigarh-metro-dreams-alive-and-kicking-2100128.html

The region’s tube dream seems to be finally coming to light as the authorities for the first time have begun some serious work on the metro project after years of delay. The officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) met Chandigarh administration's top brass on Thursday and discussed the ambitious project which proposes to link the city with the satellite towns of Mohali and Panchkula.

The DMRC officials are here to scrutinise the proposed links and check their feasibility after which a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be prepared.

In the first phase, the Chandigarh administration is looking to build the two depots in Mohali and Panchkula. Around 25 acres of land would be required to build each depot.

Haryana has proposed a piece of land in sector -21, while Punjab has said it has two options in Mallapur and Aerocity.

DMRC officials discussed all the proposed sites with the Chandigarh staff in the meeting on Thursday.

"The DMRC officials were here last week. They are here today and our officials are discussing various aspects of the project with them," K K Sharma, Advisor to the Chandigarh Administrator, told a news conference.

Sharma stressed that integrated planning was a must in Chandigarh's peripheral areas. "It is important that the administrations of Chandigarh and its satellite towns work together so that problems like congestion on roads can be solved," he said.

The advisor said that the administration was also looking at the feasibility of having dedicated bus lanes on some routes in the city to decongest the traffic and was planning to take help from Punjab Engineering College here and IIT, Delhi, in this regard.

Top brass of Chandigarh were present in the news conference including Home Secretary Ram Niwas, Finance Secretary V K Singh, Deputy Commissioner Brijendra Singh, Inspector General of Police, Pradeep Srivastava and Chandigarh's SSP, Naunihal Singh.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2012918.ece

Officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation met Chandigarh administration's top brass here today and discussed the ambitious project which proposes to link the city with the satellite towns of Mohali and Panchkula.

“The DMRC officials were here last week. They are here today and our officials are discussing various aspects of the project with them,” Mr K.K. Sharma, Advisor to the Chandigarh Administrator, told a news conference here.

The DMRC officials are here to scrutinise the proposed links and check their feasibility after which a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be prepared.

Earlier in January, senior officials from Punjab and Haryana Government, RITES, a Central government enterprise, officials from DMRC and Chandigarh Union Territory officials had met to finalise the terms and conditions for the DPR for the metro project.

Mr Sharma stressed that integrated planning was a must in Chandigarh's peripheral areas. “It is important that the administrations of Chandigarh and its satellite towns work together so that problems like congestion on roads can be solved,” he said.

The Advisor said that the administration was also looking at the feasibility of having a dedicated bus lanes on some routes in the city to decongest the traffic and was planning to take help from Punjab Engineering College here and IIT, Delhi, in this regard.

Top brass of Chandigarh, including the Home Secretary, Mr Ram Niwas, the Finance Secretary, Mr V.K. Singh, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Brijendra Singh, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Pradeep Srivastava, and the Chandigarh SSP, Mr Naunihal Singh, were present at the news conference.

Keywords: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Chandigrah metro project

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Haryana-offers-land-for-Metro-depot/articleshow/8280862.cms

The Metro Rail project is gathering speed. Haryana has followed Punjab's lead and conveyed to UT administration that it has earmarked a 25-acre site for a depot in Sector 21 of Panchkula, where the first corridor will end. Punjab had already offered two 25-acre sites at Mullanpur and Aerocity.

A team of representatives from UT administration, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and RITES held a meeting on Thursday to discuss the Metro Rail. Putting a stamp on the two routes of first phase, the DMRC and UT also decided to have stations after every kilometre on the north-south, east-west routes. UT finance secretary V K Singh said a DMRC team would focus on detailed alignment of the corridors by integrating expansion plan of Chandigarh railway station. They will consult with officers of Ambala division for the plans.

The nodal officers, who were appointed by the three stakeholder states, have to finalize locations of the proposed stations in their territory. The over-ground stretches will have stations after every kilometre and in underground stations it will be at an average distance of 1.2km. After the meeting the team visited different sites to finalise the details.

S D Sharma, executive director of DMRC, assured that the detailed project report and proposed financial model will be submitted within six months.

Y P Sachdeva, general manager of RITES, senior officers from Railways and professors of PEC also participated in meeting.

Routes decided, Aerocity is now on Chandigarh Metro map

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/routes-decided-aerocity-is-now-on-chandigarh-metro-map/789891/


Two routes for the Metro Rail were decided upon at a meeting held here on Thursday. With changes made in the alignment of its routes, one will now also pass through Aerocity in Mohali.
As part of the process to prepare the detailed project report, a discussion was held during the meeting to finalise the two routes and their terminal stations.

The first route will run from the north of the city to the south, starting from a site close to Capitol Complex near Secretariat, High Court and Rock Garden. It will reach Sector 17 Plaza through UT Secretariat on Jan Marg, Sector 22, 35, ISBT 43 and go to Mohali, where it will pass through Aerocity and City Centre to terminate at Sohana, after taking a turn near Sohana gurdwara.

The other route known as the East-West Corridor will start from Sector 21, Panchkula, and lead to the railway station in Chandigarh, crossing Sector 17 Plaza, PGI, Sarangpur, and reach Mullanpur.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Rain India Technical and Economic Services (RITES), Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Railways, Punjab Engineering College, and officials from the Punjab and Haryana governments.

The construction of depots for both these routes requires 25 acres of land each. Haryana has communicated that it has the required land available in Sector 21 of Panchkula. Punjab is offering two sites for the depots of both routes — one at Mullanpur and the other at Aerocity.

A detailed alignment will be decided specially to suit the future expansion plan of Chandigarh railway station. Respective nodal officers have to finalise the locations of proposed stations in their territory. Roughly, the elevated portion will have stations at every 1 kilometre, while the underground portion will have them at an average distance of 1.2 km.

Speaking at the meeting, UT Finance Secretary V K Singh said attempts were on to make a “working Metro” in Tricity a reality soon. GMADA Chief Administrator Sarvjit Singh emphasised the need to extend the east-west route upto Zirakpur from Sector 21, Panchkula. But DMRC and RITES officials were of the view that this required more deliberation. These alignments and the station plan will have to be approved by the respective governments in order to avoid problems in their implementation.

The DMRC assured that the detailed project report, along with the proposed financial model, would be submitted on time within six months. :cheers:

The team of DMRC and RITES will work on the project in direct contact with different agencies and a review will be done in two weeks.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Plan-panel-doubts-wont-stop-UT/articleshow/8753597.cms

Even as a Planning Commission member took a 'discouraging' stand against the UT's intention of having the ambitious Metro network, at a meeting between administration and central officials, senior bureaucrats here don't think of it as a serious matter. The member had asked why should there be need for this in a small city like Chandigarh.

UT finance secretary Vijoy Kumar Singh stated that this was just a general observation on part of the member and these kept cropping up at administrative meetings.

''These were just suggestions for developing the mass rapid transport system as there isn't much need of a massive Metro rail project in Chandigarh. We would definitely be going ahead with our Metro project and are waiting for the detailed project report (DPR) to initiate the work regarding it,'' insisted Singh.

Sources in administration said Planning Commission had stated that central government did not want to be an equity partner in such projects, as they were not profitable ventures. ''The panel is in favour of the Centre giving grants for such projects without holding a stake, leaving the responsibility of implementing and managing the projects on the states,'' said the official.

During the meeting, UT's adviser to the administrator, K K Sharma, had raised the issue of building bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors on Chandigarh's high-density road traffic points on the pattern of Delhi.

Introduced in Delhi earlier, BRT corridors' move has not met with much success. Another UT official present in that Delhi meeting, said, ''The BRT corridor system cannot be successful in Chandigarh as the city has no overbridges like Delhi. The best thing here is to improve the public transport system by providing buses from one point to another and encouraging more commuters to board them.'' Earlier, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which is preparing the DPR, had also argued that Chandigarh did not need the Metro as the maximum distance here was not more than 9km.

The DMRC also said that Metro projects in all cities with a population of over 10 lakh was not viable and the benchmark population to qualify for such project should be raised to 20 lakh.

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/CHD-planning-commission-objects-chandigarh-metro-project-2167759.html


The project of metro trains in the city seems to be once again in trouble. The Planning Commission has objected the project of metro train in Chandigarh.

The planning commission said there is no need for a network of metro trains in a small city like Chandigarh. The commission that met on May 26 suggested Chandigarh municipal officials to consider other means of transport in the city. The officers in the commission said metro trains are apt for the metro cities and bigger cities but not for a small city like Chandigarh.

The commission also believes that the project will cost a lot for the city administration. However, the administration can not hope to earn much from the metro trains.

Cost of the metro project

The cost of laying down under ground tracks for the metro trains will be around Rs 350 crore per kilometre. The elevated metro tracks will cost Rs 140 per kilometres. The total cost of Phase I is likely to be around Rs 8,953 crore. Phase II is likely to cost Rs 1060 crore.

Progress on the metro project

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has begun work on preparing a Detail Project Report (DPR) on the project. Chandigarh administration has paid Rs 2 crore to DMRC for the preparing the DPR.

Punjab and Haryana administration have approved the metro project for Chandigarh. A meeting of the officers from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh have given the green signal for two routes in the city.

http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/10280424/india-chandigarh-panchkula-mohali-metro-gathers-steam

Moving closer to have its own Metro connecting Chandigarh to Panchkula and Mohali with elevated and underground tracks by 2021 and 2041, the Chandigarh administration recently submitted project's detailed project report (DPR) to the Union Urban Development Ministry for its consideration.

To be completed in two phases, the 65-km long project will have an estimated cost of '12,362 crore and is expected to ease traffic woes in the tri-city.

A Ministry official said the 44.8-km route will stretch from Mani Majra-ITO Park to Dadi Majra, having two corridors to be completed by 2021. The second phase, covering 19.5 km and connecting Panchkula to Mohali, has 2041 as a target date for completion.

According to the DPR, funded by Central and State Governments in an 80:20 ratio, phase I and II projects will cost the exchequer '9,632 crore and '273 crore, respectively. The DPR has proposed unit cost at '140 crore per km for the elevated track and '350 crore for the underground Metro track.

As a part of the compatibility mobility plan (CMP), RITES has also submitted a '1,868-crore project for building bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors on Chandigarh's high-density road traffic points on the pattern of Delhi.

Sources said that the Ministry is reviewing the DPR from RITES, which had received '56 lakh for preparing the report of the project. In the study the administration has been advised to develop Metro rail as well two BRT corridors for the convenience of the passengers from Haryana to Ambala, Pinjore, Kalka, Khaddar.

The official from the Union Urban Development said other cities where metro service was being planned include Mumbai, Bangalore, Lucknow, Chennai, Kolkata (second line), Hyderabad, Jaipur and Kochi.

The unit cost per km would be '350 crore for the underground Metro and '140 crore for the elevated metro. The unit cost per km for the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRT) suggested by RITES was '15 crore.

Moving closer to have its own Metro connecting Chandigarh to Panchkula and Mohali with elevated and underground tracks by 2021 and 2041
:nuts:

http://www.dailypioneer.com/350909/UT-admn-to-engage-consultancy-firms-in-Metro-rail-project.html

On a sticky wicket to bring in ambitious Metro rail project to the tricity, the UT Administration is planning to engage services of a consultancy firm to get expert advice to introduce integrated and effective transportation system in the region.

To analyse transportation needs of the city and cost effective solutions in the proposed Metro rail project, the UT Administration is likely to hire consultancy services. A study concerning the same may be commissioned to Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (UMTC) shortly.

The UMTC is a joint venture of Union Ministry of Urban Development and Government of Andhra Pradesh. The company offers a slew of services including planning and providing efficient public transit systems, providing feasible solutions and guides the decision makers to deal with traffic troubles etc.

Taking up the challenge to bring in Metro rail project that proposes to link Chandigarh with satellite towns of Panchkula and Mohali, the UT Administration has an uphill task to maintain the urban character of City Beautiful and to work in sync with the neighbouring State Governments of Punjab and Haryana.

Punjab and Haryana Government are sharing 25 per cent cost each for the funding of Detailed Project Report (DPR) to be prepared by DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) for the Metro rail project, while 50 per cent funding cost will be borne by Chandigarh Administration out of the total amount of Rs 3 crore.

The work for Metro rail project has already begun on ground as the officials of DMRC recently visited the city to work out the aspects including alignment of the Metro corridors, location of Metro stations and lines in Chandigarh.

To make the project viable for the city, the UT Administration is mulling over to develop an integrated transport system where bus service in the tricity could be well connected to benefit the commuters across the region. A study concerning the same by the UMTC to develop integrated transport system in the tricity is on the cards.

“The coordination between UT Administration, Punjab and Haryana Government is vital to realise the Metro rail project of the tricity. To ease off the traffic congestion in the tricity, an integrated planning for transport would be prepared in coordination with the State Governments,” said a senior official of the UT Administration while talking to The Pioneer.

The official said: “The Administration is considering the expertise of Consultancy Company working in the same field. The Metro rail project would only be cost effective and viable if the three stakeholders work in coordinated manner and integrated transportation system is developed at the same time besides Metro rail in the tricity.”

To prepare the DPR for the Phase-I of the project comprising nearly 33 kms, the DMRC had quoted a total fee of Rs 3 crore. The project has a total length of 64.3 kms including 44.8 kms in Chandigarh, over 6.5 kms in Panchkula (Haryana) and 13 kms in Mohali (Punjab).

The Metro will be extended upto Zirakpur in Punjab and Sector 21 Panchkula in Haryana.

“The priority of the UT Administration is making the much ambitious — Metro rail project a feasible one, connecting the tricity in the first phase. Later, the extension to Baddi in Himachal, Ropar in Punjab has also been proposed,” said VK Singh, UT Finance Secretary while talking to The Pioneer.

He said: “The DMRC team is working to prepare a DPR of the project and the same is likely to be completed in next six months.”

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/5364/19072011161006.jpg

Trams, mono rail and Metro to operate together in Chandigarh

Source (http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/CHD-trams-mono-rail-and-metro-to-operate-together-in-chandigarh-2089151.html)

Really? then I'll be the happiest person. Yes Chandigarh urgently need metro. Tram could serve as a feeder service, or link service towards inner-suburb.

Could anybody post here a proposed map of Chandigarh tram & metro?

Tenders of Chandigarh Metro

DPR - http://www.delhimetrorail.com/otherdocuments/260/NIT.pdf

ARCHITECTURAL PLANNING of STATIONS - http://www.delhimetrorail.com/otherdocuments/260/Chandigarh.pdf

Metro corridor to run from Panchkula Sector 21 to Mullanpur

Source: IE (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/metro-corridor-to-run-from-panchkula-sector-21-to-mullanpur/840515/0)
The East-West Corridor of the Metro Rail connecting Panchkula and Chandigarh will start from Sector 21, Panchkula and terminate at Mullanpur. On the route the Metro rail will pass through Sectors 12, 12A, 11, 14, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5. From Sector 7, the Metro will take a turn towards the Housing Board light point. The route was discussed at a meeting of the Coordination Committee for development of Chandigarh and its periphery.

The comprehensive mobility plan that has been prepared specifies the route that the Metro would take in the Tricity. The Metro Rail would cover a 6.5-km route in Panchkula before entering Chandigarh. In Chandigarh the metro will pass through Railway Station, Sector 17 Plaza, PGI, Sarangpur and terminate at Mullanpur.

Haryana Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary (Housing & Urban Development) S S Dhillon said that the comprehensive mobility plan for the Chandigarh Urban Complex had been prepared to establish better connectivity between Panchkula, Mohali and Chandigarh through Metro rail. “In the first phase, the Metro line would be extended to Panchkula, with the stretch of 6.5 kms and is scheduled to be implemented by 2014,” he informed.

There would be two corridors of the Metro in Chandigarh. Another route - North-South corridor - will run from the north of the city to the south and start from a site close to the Capitol Complex near the Secretariat, High Court and Rock Garden. It will reach the Sector 17 Plaza through the UT Secretariat on Jan Marg, Sector 22, 35, ISBT 43 and will go up to Aerocity in Mohali. At Aerocity a terminal station is proposed to be built.

The Metro would be underground in the sectoral grid in Chandigarh. Thereafter, it would be over the ground. This is being done with the aim of preserving the city’s character. At present the Detailed Project Report is being prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Punjab government officials have raised the demand that the Metro should pass through certain villages.

Metro corridor to run from Panchkula Sector 21 to Mullanpur

Source: IE
Quote:
The East-West Corridor of the Metro Rail connecting Panchkula and Chandigarh will start from Sector 21, Panchkula and terminate at Mullanpur. On the route the Metro rail will pass through Sectors 12, 12A, 11, 14, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5. From Sector 7, the Metro will take a turn towards the Housing Board light point. The route was discussed at a meeting of the Coordination Committee for development of Chandigarh and its periphery.

The comprehensive mobility plan that has been prepared specifies the route that the Metro would take in the Tricity. The Metro Rail would cover a 6.5-km route in Panchkula before entering Chandigarh. In Chandigarh the metro will pass through Railway Station, Sector 17 Plaza, PGI, Sarangpur and terminate at Mullanpur.

Haryana Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary (Housing & Urban Development) S S Dhillon said that the comprehensive mobility plan for the Chandigarh Urban Complex had been prepared to establish better connectivity between Panchkula, Mohali and Chandigarh through Metro rail. “In the first phase, the Metro line would be extended to Panchkula, with the stretch of 6.5 kms and is scheduled to be implemented by 2014,” he informed.

There would be two corridors of the Metro in Chandigarh. Another route - North-South corridor - will run from the north of the city to the south and start from a site close to the Capitol Complex near the Secretariat, High Court and Rock Garden. It will reach the Sector 17 Plaza through the UT Secretariat on Jan Marg, Sector 22, 35, ISBT 43 and will go up to Aerocity in Mohali. At Aerocity a terminal station is proposed to be built.

The Metro would be underground in the sectoral grid in Chandigarh. Thereafter, it would be over the ground. This is being done with the aim of preserving the city’s character. At present the Detailed Project Report is being prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Punjab government officials have raised the demand that the Metro should pass through certain villages. :bash::bash::bash:

cheap politics :bash: they are forgetting The meaning of "Metro" and villages.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/chandigarh/6068-sreedharan-to-visit-city-review-dpr-for-chandigarh-project.html

The much-ambitious Metro rail project of Chandigarh is gaining momentum gradually. The Metro Man of India, E Sreedharan would shortly visit Chandigarh to review the work of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which has been conferred with the task to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Chandigarh Metro rail project.

The DMRC team is in the city and is toiling hard to analyse the technicalities to bring in Metro rail project in Chandigarh that proposes to link the city with satellite towns of Panchkula and Mohali. E Sreedharan will visit Chandigarh and would review the work carried out by DMRC regarding the preparation of DPR of the project. So far, the DMRC has worked on proposing routes, terminal stations, alignments and station plans, elevated and underground Metro lines for the project. The team has visited different sites to finalise the details.

Sreedharan would analyse the work done by DMRC team for the DPR and will consequently give his nod to DMRC proposals to step forward the preparation of DPR as per the plans. From finalisation of Metro routes to terminal stations, Sreedharan would study all.

“The UT Administration has written to the DMRC managing director to visit Chandigarh and review the DMRC work for Chandigarh’s Metro rail project,” said a senior official of the UT Administration while talking to The Pioneer. He said, “Sreedharan would shortly visit Chandigarh and will visit various sites in the city proposed as routes, stations under the Metro project. After reviewing the progress, he would give a go ahead to DMRC to begin the compilation and finalisation of the DPR for the Metro project.”

The DMRC has proposed that one route of Metro known as East-West Corridor will start from Sector 21 Panchkula and lead to Railway Station Chandigarh, Sector 17 Plaza, PGIMER, Sarangpur and reach up to Mullanpur. The second Metro line will be from Secretariat to Mohali via Rock Garden, Sector 9, Aroma Chowk, Sector 43, Sector 52 (Mohali), Sector 72 (Mohali) with a total length of 14 kms (underground 8.7 kms and elevated 5.3 kms). In Mohali, it will cover City Centre and will take a turn near Sohana Gurdwara.

The DMRC team has also proposed that roughly the elevated portion will have stations at every one km and in underground portion it will be at an average distance of 1.2 km. At present, the work for soil testing is underway by an agency to check the feasibility to construct underground Metro in Chandigarh. The DMRC had quoted `3 crore fee to prepare the DPR for the project. The DMRC is likely to be submit the DPR in next three months to the UT Administration.

:bash::bash::bash:

cheap politics :bash: they are forgetting The meaning of "Metro" and villages.


These villages are akin to villages within the city boundary, e.g. you've in Gurgaon etc. So, anyway metro line will pass from half km. away, there is no harm in covering those 1-2 villages.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/soil-testing-progressing-in-full-swing-for-metro-project/851409/

The geo-technical investigation for the Chandigarh Metro is currently underway with a Chandigarh Metro Rail Corporation hiring a Jaipur-based company collecting soil samples from various areas which fall on the proposed route.
The work is being done with the help of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) which will soon be submitting a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the project. The head of the DMRC, E Shreedharan, is also expected to visit the city soon to oversee the project.

The work is being done by Jaipur-based Consulting Engineers Group(CEG) and the collection of soil samples started on September 18 from Sohana, Mohali. At present there are three machines which have taken samples from eight places.

The machines drill the earth to a depth of 30m and soil samples are taken after every 1.5 meters. The sample collection at every site will end in two days. Soil samples are taken after every 500m.

The company is collecting three types of soil samples; Undisturbed soil Sample(UDS), Disturbed Sample (DS) and Standard Penetration Test (SPT). These samples are further sent to Jaipur for measuring their bearing capacity and other tests to determine its strength are conducted on it. The design of the structure will be based on the outcome of the soil tests.

Speaking to the Newsline, Rughuraj, Site Engineer, said, “In the first phase which is from Mohali to Secretariat, we will be taking samples of at least 85 to 90 spots. The samples on the Phase 2 which will be from Panchkula, Sector 21 to Mullanpur, will start soon after. The three machines used in the drilling have been brought from Delhi.”

http://www.bhaskar.com/article/CHD-chandigarh-is-the-mohali-2457391.html

चंडीगढ़ मेट्रो रेल प्रोजेक्ट के तहत ट्राईसिटी में चलाई जाने वाली मेट्रो रेल चंडीगढ़ में अंडरग्राउंड होगी, जबकि मोहाली और पंचकूला में यह जमीन के ऊपर (एलीवेटेड) से गुजरेगी।

प्रोजेक्ट के तहत मोहाली में मेट्रो रेल के लिए बनाई जा रही लाइन के सर्वे का काम देखने आए डीएमआरसी के अधिकारियों ने यह जानकारी देते हुए बताया कि फिल्हाल ट्राईसिटी में मेट्रो रेल के लिए यही प्लान है। लेकिन मिट्टी परीक्षण और वाटर लेवल के सैंपलों का रिजल्ट आने के बाद ही स्थिति पूरी तरह स्पष्ट होगी। सर्वे के दौरान अंडरग्राउंड और एलीवेटेड के बजट पर भी गौर किया जाएगा कि दोनों में से कौन सा किफायती रहेगा।

एक से डेढ़ किलोमीटर होगी स्टेशंस में दूरी

ट्राईसिटी में मेट्रो रेल के लिए बनाए जाने वाले स्टेशंस की दूरी एक से डेढ़ किलोमीटर तक होगी। इंजीनियर्स का कहना है कि जहां जगह ज्यादा होगी, वहीं स्टेशन बनाया जाएगा। दिल्ली से आए डीएमआरसी के जेई विपिन ने गत दिवस मोहाली में सर्वे का काम देखा। उन्होंने कहा कि मेट्रो के लिए काम प्रारंभिक चरण में है। मेट्रो रेल के स्टेशन बनाने के लिए डाटा एकत्र किया जा रहा है।

सेक्टर 43 बस टर्मिनल के पास रूट में कर्व

विपिन ने बताया कि सेक्रेटेरिएट से गुरुद्वारा सिंह शहीदां रूट पर सेक्टर 43 बस टर्मिनल के पास लाइन में थोड़ा कर्व आ रहा है। इस पर विचार-विमर्श किया जा रहा है। अन्य स्थानों का भी निरीक्षण किया गया, जहां से मेट्रो रेल गुजारे जाने की संभावना है। कुछ दिनों में डीएमआरसी के आलाधिकारी भी साइट देखने आएंगे। उनके आने पर प्रोजेक्ट के बारे में पूरी जानकारी उपलब्ध कराई जाएगी।

मुल्लांपुर में भी सर्वे का काम शुरू

चंडीगढ़ मेट्रो रेल प्रोजेक्ट के तहत पंचकूला से न्यू चंडीगढ़, मुल्लांपुर तक चलाई जाने वाली मेट्रो रेल को लेकर मुल्लांपुर में भी सर्वे का काम शुरू कर दिया गया है। प्रोजेक्ट का सर्वे करने के लिए अधिकृत देहरादून की दून सर्वे कंपनी के सर्वेयर विजेंदर सिंह पुंडीर ने बताया कि मेट्रो रेल गांव फिरोजपुर तक जाएगी, जिसे लेकर सर्वे किया जा रहा है। यह सर्वे 15 दिनों में पूरा कर लिया जाएगा।

ट्राईसिटी में चंडीगढ़ मेट्रो रेल प्रोजेक्ट का प्रस्तावित रूट

चंडीगढ़ से मोहाली रूट
चंडीगढ़ में : सेक्रेटेरिएट, सेक्टर 9, सेक्टर 17, अरोमा चौक, सेक्टर 34, सेक्टर 43 बस टर्मिनल, सेक्टर 52
मोहाली में : सिटी सेंटर-सेक्टर 62 से गुरुद्वारा सिंह शहीदां सोहाना तक।
पंचकूला से मुल्लांपुर रूट
पंचकूला में : सेक्टर 12, सेक्टर 14 डिस्ट्रिक्ट सेंटर, बस स्टैंड पंचकूला, सिटी सेंटर, हुडा ऑफिस कॉम्प्लेक्स, हाउसिंग बोर्ड चौक
चंडीगढ़ में : चंडीगढ़ रेलवे स्टेशन, टिंबर मार्केट, सेक्टर 26, सेक्टर 7, सेक्टर 17, जनरल अस्पताल सेक्टर 16, पीजीआई, खुड्डा लाहौरा, सारंगपुर, मुल्लांपुर-1, मुल्लांपुर-2 और ट्रांसपोर्ट टर्मिनस क्षेत्र।
दोनों रूट चंडीगढ़ के सेक्टर 17 में आपस में मिलेंगे।

http://s2.postimage.org/20pscyotg/map1_f.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/20pscyotg/)

Thanks for update harsh :cheers:

मेट्रो रेल: चंडीगढ़ में होगी अंडरग्राउंड ë

http://www.bhaskar.com/article/CHD-chandigarh-is-the-mohali-2457391.html


Translation:
Metro to be underground in Chandigarh, elevated in Mohali & Panchkula
DMRC officials surveying and the final alignment will be decided after soil testing and water balance test. Also to decide on length of elevated & underground
Stations to be built with a distance of 1 to 1.5 km b/w them.
J. E. Vipin of DMRC checked the survey works yesterday and said that metro is in initial stages. He also said that near Sector 43 bus terminal b/w Secretariat and Gurudwara Shaheed the metro line will be more curved. To present report to DMRC top officials who will arrive at the site in few days.
Survey of Panchkula-Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) line also started in Mullanpur by Dehradun company Doon survey company headed by Vijender Singh Pundir said that this line would be till Firozpur village and survey will be completed within 15 days

Route of metro in Tri-city
Chandigarh-Mohali
In Chandigarh: Secretariat, Sector9, 17, Aroma Chowk, Sector 34, Sector 43 Bus Terminal, Sector 52
In Mohali: City Center (Sector 62) Gurudwara Shaheed

Panchkula-Mullanpur
In Panchkula: Sector 12, Sector 14 district center, Panchkula bus stand, City Center, HUDA office complex, Housing board chowk
In Chandigarh: Chandigarh rly. station, Timber market, Sector 26, 7, 17, General Hospital Sector 16, PGI, Khudda Lahora, Sarangpur, Mullanpur-1, 2 and Transport Terminus sector

Interchange at Sector 17

Metro project: Team finds high water table in city

Source: IE (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Metro-project--Team-finds-high-water-table-in-city/852306/)
Water encountered at depth of just 3.5 metres

The team conducting soil testing for the Metro Rail project, have found the water table in the city to be quite high. At places, the team has encountered water at just 3.5 metres below the surface. The water along with soil samples are being sent for testing.

With and underground metro being proposed in the sectoral grid in Chandigarh, it is likely to require de-watering of the soil. A team from Consulting Engineers Group (CEG) Test House is collecting soil samples along the routes proposed by Delhi Metro Rail Project (DMRC). This is the process to prepare a detailed project report for the Metro Raghu Raj Singh, site engineer, said that the testing is being done with the aim of knowing the nature of soil. “It is important to test the soil and water samples. This is required to decide the kind of material that will be used at the site for construction,” he said.

The team is conducting survey along the North-South corridor from near the Capitol Complex to Sohana. A metro station is to be constructed at every kilometre where the Metro is underground and every 1.3 kilometre where Metro is above the ground. Once the sampling along the North-South corridor is complete, sampling will start on the East-West corridor from Sector 21 Panchkula to Mullanpur.

CEG Test House had earlier conducted soil testing in Delhi when the Metro was constructed there. Similar testing is going on in Jaipur.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/metro-route-takes-final-shape/853803/

DMRC to make detailed project report, first set of soil samples sent to Jaipur lab for testing
With hectic activity for preparation of the detailed project report for Metro Rail in the city already under way, the final shape of the route that the Metro would take has now emerged. As per the plan, stretches in Chandigarh that witness heavy traffic movement and those which connect it to the neighbouring Panchkula and Mohali are the ones where Metro will be constructed.

The North-South corridor would be from a site near the Capitol Complex near Secretariat, High Court and Rock Garden. It will reach Sector 17 Plaza through UT Secretariat on Jan Marg and then turn towards Sector 22, crossing ISBT in Sector 17.

The Metro would then move on the stretch between Sector 34 and Sector 35 and then reach ISBT Sector 43. It would go up to Aerocity in Mohali. At Aerocity, a terminal station is proposed to be built.

The collection of soil samples on this corridor is going on. Once the collection of samples along the North-South corridor is complete, work would start on the East-West corridor.

This would start from Sector 21 in Panchkula and pass through Sectors12, 12A, 11, 14, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5. From Sector 7 the Metro would take a turn towards the Housing Board lightpoint. This is a 6.5-kilometer stretch. On entering Chandigarh, it would pass through Railway Station, Sector 17, PGI, Sarangpur and reach up to Mullanpur.

The Metro would be underground within the sectoral grid of Chandigarh. Outside the grid, it would be elevated.

The Metro stations would be constructed every one kilometre where Metro is underground and 1.3 kilometre where it is above the ground.

The first set of samples for soil testing for the Metro Rail in Chandigarh were sent for testing on Thursday. The samples have been collected from 13 different places in the city along the North-South corridor proposed for the Metro. The testing of samples would be done at a laboratory in Jaipur.

The samples at present are being collected along the stretch from Sector 22 to Sector 44. There are three sites along the stretch and soil samples are being gathered. The samples are taken every 500 metres.

A team from Consulting Engineers Group (CEG) Test House is collecting soil samples. After the soil samples are tested, the detailed project report would be prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Representatives of DMRC were in the city on Thursday to overview the progress being made.

nice to see namma metro in chandigarh. But nobody is talking about the finance. Has planning commission agreed for money?

^^ Saddi metro

Haan G, Saadi metro.

Is there any person who is able to update wikipedia......

please update wikipedia regarding topic chandigarh metro.

Harsh, do you have a larger version of the metro map?

Soil-testing over, metro DPR by Dec

Source: TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Soil-testing-over-metro-DPR-by-Dec/articleshow/10512935.cms)
The long-awaited detailed project report (DPR) for Tricity's ambitious metro rail project is likely to be completed and submitted with UT administration by December. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which was given the task of preparing the report, has completed soil and rock testing of the areas where the 33-km metro train route would be built.

Scientists from DMRC will submit their findings to their seniors in the capital shortly. UT finance and engineering secretary, V K Singh, said the DPR would address questions of metro's feasibility and need in this area. "We have received information about it arriving shortly," stated Singh.

The soil and rock testing for the project lasted three months. Information from testing would be submitted with DMRC and compiled in the DPR. "The report would also be handed to the governments of Punjab and Haryana, which are UT's partners in this big project," said a source in UT administration.

A few days back, in his meeting with the Prime Minister and the senior officials of the National Planning Commission, UT administrator Shivraj Patil had stressed upon the need for speeding up the metro rail project. He had said, "Keeping in view the city's architecture, overbridges cannot be allowed here and there is an immediate requirement to have an underground transport system that would cater to growing transport needs of Tricity commuters."

Towns with population of 20 lakh & above to have Metro link

Source (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111118/main4.htm)
The country’s Metro rail system is spreading its span with the Centre today announcing the modern transit system for all cities with a population of 20 lakh and above. Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath today said all Indian towns with the population of 20 lakh and above would have Metro rails to meet the growing demand for improved, efficient and rapid transit system.

The announcement will come as a relief to several cities in the country. The country’s urban population is expected to touch 54 crore during the next decade. According to the 2011 Census, as many as 19 cities in the country currently boast of the population figure that fulfils the criteria for a Metro rail.

Besides major metropolitan cities, the list includes cities like Surat and Kanpur for which there is nothing in the pipeline as of now.

Apart from the ongoing projects for Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has prepared detailed project reports (DPRs) for Ludhiana, Pune, Ahmedabad and Lukhnow. It is currently preparing DPRs for Indore, Bhopal and Chandigarh. Nath has also written to the Maharashtra CM, asking him to initiate a DPR for Nagpur Metro.

Besides, the government has sanctioned Stage-I of the Jaipur Metro at a cost of Rs 1,250 crore to be funded entirely by the state government and is obtaining approval for funding on the PPP basis for Rs-7700 crore Stage-II. The 25.3-km Kochi Metro, to be build at a cost of Rs 4722 crore, is awaiting Cabinet approval.

Once the Phase-IV of the Delhi Metro is completed, the flag bearer of Metro rail projects in India - the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation - will surpass the London Underground. “The government has sanctioned Rs 35,242 crore for phase III Metro rail project in Delhi. This is the largest urban infrastructure project in the country till date. The Phase-IV of the Delhi Metro project will be ready by 2016. Once this project is completed, 40 lakh passengers will travel everyday,” Nath said. To cater to the increasing network, the government has undertaken a capacity building strategy. The AICTE has approved a B.Tech in Metro engineering which will begin from 2013. A separate programme for M.Tech in urban transport with specialisation in Metro technology in the IIT-Delhi and the IIT-Madras is being pursued. Metro training institutes have been set up by the Delhi Metro and the Bangalore Metro. Research and Design cell for indigenisation as well as R&D to reduce costs and provide a ready source for spares and replacements are being set up.

Funding row hits Ludhiana project

About the Ludhiana Metro project, the DPR for which was approved by the state Cabinet in June, Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath says his ministry has received “no further communication from the state government”. Sources say the issue regarding funds for the Rs 8,705-crore Ludhiana project still remains unresolved. The poll-bound state may have cleared the DPR, but it continues to look at the Centre for funding.

Chandigarh Metro

Regarding the Chandigarh Metro, doubts about financial viability of which were raised by none other than metro man E Sreedharan, Nath said the government would try to resolve the issue. Sreedharan had called the mega project “technically feasible but financially not viable.” He, however, justified it in view of the unique position of Chandigarh, struggling with increasing vehicular pollution.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/todays-newspaper/28863-metro-will-make-city-not-so-beautiful.html?tmpl=component&layout=default&page=

After over five decades of its creation, Chandigarh — epitome of planning and architecture, designed by French architect Le Corbusier — is under the threat of losing its splendour and beauty if the Metro rail project makes its way through the city.

With the project gaining momentum day by day in Chandigarh, the city’s planners and environmentalists are up in arms against it.

In its attempt to bring in a Metro link between Chandigarh and satellite towns Panchkula and Mohali, the UT Administration will not be able to maintain the uniqueness of the City Beautiful, according to urban planners.

Project votaries claim it is the only solution to the ever-increasing traffic and pollution but they also admit that it poses an environmental threat for Chandigarh. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been conferred with the task to prepare a detailed project report (DPR).

A high-powered committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Urban Development in 2007 had suggested surface transport as the preferred mass rapid transport system and viable means of public transportation, against the Metro or monorail in the city. But this has apparently been overlooked as soil testing is being done for the Metro.

According to senior architects, the Metro would undermine the aesthetics and character of the City Beautiful, particularly in its core areas — Madhya Marg and Himalaya Marg. There are doubts about its flexibility and limited capacity to be used as a city-wide system, along with its high cost.

For the underground stretches, roads will be ploughed and trees cut down. There would be a need to create parking spaces but alas, there is no space.

Also, the DMRC team has encountered water table quite high — at just 3.5 metres below the surface — during soil testing. De-watering would be required, which is an uphill task.

Funding of Rs 15,000 crore by the three stakeholders — Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana — is also another hurdle. At present, Punjab and Haryana Governments are sharing 25 per cent cost each, while 50 per cent is being borne by the UT Administration, out of the total amount of Rs 3 crore.

Chandigarh’s first Indian architect, MN Sharma, told The Pioneer that the Metro would ruin the original character of the city. He said, “The UT Administration’s decision to put in place monorail and Metro for the city is also in conflict with the recommendations of a high powered expert committee constituted by Union Ministry.”

“The Metro proposal shows the UT Administration’s weak urban transport policy and their bias towards high-cost mass rapid transit solutions, instead of cheaper and sustainable ones,” Sharma added.

DMRC has proposed two corridors in the first phase. The east-west corridor will start from Sector 21 Panchkula and lead to Railway Station Chandigarh, Sector 17 Plaza, PGIMER, Sarangpur, up to Mullanpur. En route, the Metro will also pass through Sectors 12, 12A, 11, 14, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5.

The north-south corridor will start from the Secretariat to culminate at Aerocity in Mohali, via Rock Garden, Sector 9, Aroma Chowk, Sector 43, Sector 52 (Mohali), Sector 72 (Mohali) —- with a total length of 14 km (underground 8.7 km and elevated 5.3 km).

The DMRC team has proposed that the elevated portion will roughly have stations every 1 km and in underground portion, at an average 1.2 km. Also, it is expected to stay underground in the sectoral grid.

Civic body delays metro project report

Source (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/civic-body-delays-metro-project-report/895972/)
Preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Metro Rail has missed its December deadline. The DPR will take a few more months with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which has been entrusted with the task of preparing the DPR, seeking details of the underground utilities and construction in the city. It was in May, last year, that the process for making the DPR was initiated and was expected to be ready by December.

Underground utilities will include a number of services including sewerage and water lines. The data for the same is present with the public health departments of the Municipal Corporation (MC) and the Administration. In the civic body, two of the four divisions have prepared the data that has to be submitted. The other two are in the process of submission.

An official said that CDs of the layout are available and are being verified. He said that the physical verification of the underground utilities is being done apart from studying the layout that is available. The details will be submitted in the coming days. Apart from the layout of the sewerage lines, underground water supply lines are also present.

High tension wires and optical fiber cables have also been laid underground. Details of these are required to be submitted. System for storm water drainage as well as underground reservoirs for storing water are some other services.

UT Finance Secretary V K Singh said” “The preparation of the DPR will take some time as the details of the underground utilities has to be provided. Concerned departments have been asked to submit the detail”.”

The process of soil testing for the Tricity is being conducted. The samples are collected every 500 metres at varying depths. The samples are then sent to a laboratory in Jaipur for testing. The samples are also being collected from places where the terminal stations will be built.

Rs 8,388 cr metro rail project for Chandigarh :cheers:

Source (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/rs-8388-cr-metro-rail-project-for-chandigarh/961304.html)
Metro rail project at a cost of Rs 8,338 crore will be initiated soon in Chandigarh, Joint General Manager, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, R C Sharma today said. Sharma said the total length of the metro rail project here would be 37.69 km. "In this regard, different activities such as topographic survey, geotechnical investigation, traffic forecast, planning of horizontal and vertical alignment has been done and social impact assessment will start soon," he said while making a presentation on Chandigarh Metro Project here. He said 12 underground and 18 elevated stations will be constructed.

Good news for my city beautiful

Best of luck to Chandigarh :) :cheers::banana:

Work on project to begin in 2013

Source: TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Work-on-project-to-begin-in-2013/articleshow/11831150.cms)
The UT administration on Thursday said work on Metro project would begin from 2013 and Tricity residents would be able to avail the facility from 2018. Covering 37.69 kms, the metro rail project will be built at a cost of Rs 8,388 crore. Two corridors will be constructed in the first phase and the intersection station will be in Sector 9.

A presentation on the routes was given by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation ( DMRC) to the advisory council with exact location of the stations on Thursday.

As per the plan, one corridor will be from Mullanpur to Grain Market, Sector 20 in Panchkula, and the other from Capitol Complex to Gurdwara Shahidan in Mohali.

For the first corridor, stations will come up at Mullanpur, Sarangpur, Khuda Lahora, PGI, sectors 16, 9, 7, 26, Timber Market in Sector 26, Chandigarh Railway Station, Housing Board Chowk, Mansa Devi Complex in Panchkula, HUDA office, City Centre, Panchkula bus stand, Sector 14 of Panchkula and Grain Market of Sector 20 in Panchkula.

For the second corridor, stations will come up at Capitol Complex, sectors 9, 17, 22 near Aroma lightpoint, 34, 43, 52, 62 of Mohali, 70 of Mohali and Gurdwara Shahidan, as per the initial plan.

Various works for the project such as topographic survey, geotechnical investigation, traffic forecast, planning of horizontal and vertical alignment have been done. Work on social impact assessment will start soon.

Metro Rail work likely from 2013

Source (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/metro-rail-work-likely-from-2013/910280/)
The construction of the Metro Rail project is likely to start by February 2013 and be completed before the end of the next Five-Year Plan. A presentation on the Metro Rail project was made during a meeting of the UT Administrator’s Advisory Council today.

A representative from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation made the presentation before the members. The project would cost more than Rs 8,388 crore, apart from the cost of the land that would be required for it. The cost would be shared between Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The total length of the Metro corridors would be 37.69 km. The North-South corridor would be 14 km and the East-West corridor 21 km. There would be a station every 1.2 km.

Activities such as Topographic Survey, Geotechnical Investigation, Traffic Forecast, Planning of Horizontal and Vertical Alignment have been done and the Social Impact Assessment will soon be started. The members were informed that 12 underground and 18 elevated Metro Stations would be constructed under the project.

great news. perfect time for the city to get a metro too. :cheers:

Chandigarh metro rail cost revised by DMRC

Source (http://www.punjabnewsline.com/news/?q=node/35934)
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has revised the project cost of the Chandigarh Metro rail to Rs 8,388 crores.

These revised estimates have come as a sigh of relief for UT officials as it has come down significantly from earlier staggering estimates of 10- 15 thousand crores. It is good news for the UT’s treasury as Punjab and Haryana governments are contributing very little into this project. Administration is thinking about accommodating this project in the next five year plan due to these financial impediments. A senior official has claimed that a proposal will be submitted to the planning commission in few days.

The revised estimates of the project were submitted by DMRC joint general manager during a meeting with UT administrator Shivraj Patil. Sharma gave a presentation on the 37.69 km long metro project and claimed that it would be started in near future. He further told that various surveys like topographic analysis, geotechnical investigation, planning of horizontal and vertical alignment has already been done. He informed that the project will include 12 underground and 18 elevated stations.

Residents of the city are expecting to get relief from the frequent traffic jams after this project is implemented. Let’s hope that it comes out of papers as early as possible and we can also see those beautiful trains humming around in the city beautiful.

UT seeks Rs 800cr, funds for metro in planned budget

Source: TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/UT-seeks-Rs-800cr-funds-for-metro-in-planned-budget/articleshow/12013063.cms)
UT administration put up a demand for nearly Rs 800 crore for the planned budget in financial year 2012-13, before the Centre in a meeting held in Delhi, on Thursday. The budget projection is 17% more than the annual budget of Rs 661.89 crore allocated.

Apart from increased budget for health and education, UT has sought additional amount for the metro project under the plan budget. For financial year 2011-12, the Centre had allocated an amount of Rs 661.89 crore to the city under planned budget. Chandigarh had received Rs 1646.53 crore under non-plan budget for fiscal year 2011-12.

Sources said the planned budget heads includes health, education and infrastructure. The preservation of Sukhna Lake and defining the heritage of the city, particularly cultural and existing buildings, find a special mention. Developmental projects for the newly developed sectors of the city have been separately specified in the budget.

In the 2011-12 budget presented by Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on February 28 last year, there was a hike of Rs 259.21 crore (43%) in the total budget, both under planned and the non-planned heads.

Chandigarh to hold seminar with national experts

Source (http://www.dayandnightnews.com/2012/03/chandigarh-to-hold-seminar-with-national-experts/)
After all that talk about proposals on improvement of the traffic situation in the city, the Chandigarh authorities now claim to be on a path to actually nail it. We get the Chandigarh Adviser talking.

With various proposals and recommendations about transport upgradation already on hand, the Chandigarh administration is now on a route to actualize them. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is already making a Detailed Project Report on the proposed Chandigarh Metro. Before that, RITES, a government transport consultancy company, had made recommendations on bringing about better mobility of vehicles in the city. Apart from the introduction of Metro, it had recommended a Bus Corridor and engineering changes on the city roads.

“While we have these plans we want to convert them into actionable points, identify what exact work has to be done at what exact location.”

It’s high time the UT took some concrete decisions now. Advisor K.K. Sharma said the UT will hold a one day workshop cum seminar with national experts to chalk out a detailed plan down to the nitty gritty.

“We’ll be calling Delhi Metro Rail corporation team, apart from officials from organizations like Urban Mass Transit Company etc. We’ll also keep Punjab Engineering College in the loop.”

The plan will look into two aspects of the transport- the infrastructure and the modes of transport, apart from the retrofitting on the roads.

Talking about the engineering changes, Chandigarh Advisor K.K. Sharma gave an example about the roundabouts. Though part of the very character of the city, according to experts is not viable for the growing traffic in the city, he said, hinting towards more stress on light points in the future.

“Though these cannot be totally rooted out because of the aesthetics they add to, if the functionality is looked into, experts are of an opinion that intersections are more viable.”

The UT advisor also talked about the dilatability of the slip roads as they are not pedestrian safe. Besides looking into these retrofitting as a short term plan, he said, the seminar would help in evolving medium term plans including introduction of Bus corridors to take the public transport to a whole new level in the city. The Delhi Metro team would also be asked to expedite the plan for Metro in the city.

25 acres of Medicity project set aside for PGI extension

Source: IE (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/25-acres-of-medicity-project-set-aside-for-pgi-extension/936967/)
Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has set aside 25 acres of the 97-acre Medicity project at Mullanpur for the PGI extension proposed to be constructed here. Sources reveal that PGI was keen on land measuring 100 acres for the hospital extension. Medicity is being developed by the Punjab government as a conglomerate of leading private health care providers. About 25 acres may be set aside for these hospitals, in which GMADA is planning to carve out four or five-acre plots for each hospital to set up various facilities. In addition, land will be provided for a nursing institute, helipad, commercial plaza, budget hotel and working women’s hostel.

GMADA is also providing space for multi-level group housing at Medicity, for doctors and para-medical staff working at these hospitals. PGI had asked for 100 acres as it wants to construct super-speciality hospitals here and also provide for housing for its staff in the area. GMADA planners said that the land for PGI will be given at one of the corners of Medicity since the prestigious government institute will attract the highest traffic. By giving it a corner position, GMADA will be able to keep this heavy traffic out of the other parts of Medicity.

Speaking to Newsline earlier, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal had said that the state was keen to develop Medicity as one of India’s best medical hubs and was talking to some of the top medical care providers worldwide to apprise them of the project. With Medicity, Punjab is betting high on Chandigarh’s popularity as one of the top ranked cities in India on various development index.

With such high stakes in the area, both Punjab and Chandigarh are working on widening the road from PGI to Mullanpur in their respective territories. The Engineering Department of the UT Administration has planned to construct a flyover from PGI to Mullanpur, since traffic on this road is going to increase manifold in the next few years.

The Administration is planning to construct this road as a six-lane stretch. GMADA too has initiated the project to widen the road in its jurisdiction which comes from PGI towards Mullanpur, since traffic density is likely to multiply here in the coming years. In addition, the Chandigarh Metro will also be extended to Mullanpur to augment transport facilities here. The approach road to Mullanpur from Sector 38 is also being planned as a four-lane stretch.

Soil testing complete

Source: TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Soil-testing-complete/articleshow/12669115.cms)
The soil testing for the metro project is almost complete and the report will be submitted within a month. Consulting Engineer Group, a Jaipur based private firm, has tested 86 soil samples throughout the city while preparing their detailed report for the Metro Project in the city. They have recommended different foundations at different areas as per the nature of the soil at respective zones of the city from where the train will pass. The company has submitted their detailed report to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, which will submit detailed DPR of the entire project in the coming month.

Each testing site of the soil was dug up to 30 metres and then level of the each foundation from the surface has been suggested by a group of experts to provide details of strength as per nature of the available soil. Providing details, Raghu Raj Singh, soil testing engineer of the company, said, "During soil testing we found that foundations should be different as per the nature and capacity of the soil at each testing site. At some places, it was at 15 metres while in others it was 20, 21, 17. We have submitted our report to the DMRC for their consideration and preparation of detailed detail project report."

When asked, UT joint secretary home Abhishek Dev said, "All the details gave been sent to the DNRC for the preparation of final detail project report, which will be submitted within a month. Besides, the design and other structural things of the plan, the report will also have the all financial details regarding the project."

The engineering wing of the both, administration and municipal corporation have also recently provided the details of underground laying of pipelines, wiring etc to the DMRC authorities for the proper knowledge of underground cables and pipelines while preparing of the plan.

No parking lots at Metro stations
Source: TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-15/chandigarh/31711222_1_railway-station-parking-lots-parking-facilities)
To make sure that the proposed Metro Rail system does not add to the existing parking chaos in the city, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has ruled out creation of parking lots at Metro stations.

The facility would, however, be available at the last stations in Panchkula and Mohali.The elevated portion of the tube system will have stations at every one kilometre, while in the underground portion it will be at an average distance of 1.2 km. The alignments and station plan will be got approved by the Punjab and Haryana governments too, so that there is no problem in the implementation of the project.

As per the plan, parking space wouldn't be allocated at all stations planned in the city as it would add to the chaos.

"The Metro system will be integrated with air- conditioned bus service, which will take passengers to their doorstep, besides catering to areas near the station. However, there is scope for having parking facilities outside the city," said an official.

The first route will run from the north of the city to the city's south. It will start from a site close to the capitol complex near the secretariat, and pass from near the high court and Rock Garden in the north and reach Sector 17 plaza through UT Secretariat on Jan Marg, sectors 22 and 35, ISBT, Sector 43 and go up to Aerocity in Mohali. In Mohali, it will cover the City Centre.

The other route known as east-west corridor will start from Sector 21, Panchkula and lead to the railway station, Chandigarh, Sector 17 plaza, PGI, Sarangpur and reach up to Mullanpur.

The detailed project report being prepared by DMRC is likely to be submitted shortly. Apart from the detailed alignments of the routes, it would also suggest a financial model for the project.

That's a stupid excuse.

Abhishek, given that there are three admins: Haryana/Punjab/UT to deal with and the fact that the Union governemnt takes its own sweet time to give permissions or clearances, do you feel this project is getting on the road any time soon?

I feel that it will take at least 2 years for construction to start. There would be some tussles between the states and UT. Secondly, Chandigarh doesn't need metro as much as some other cities need (because of wide roads and less population), so the UT admin might not show that much urgency.

What about Ludhiana Metro?

Distant dream.

I feel that it will take at least 2 years for construction to start. There would be some tussles between the states and UT. Secondly, Chandigarh doesn't need metro as much as some other cities need (because of wide roads and less population), so the UT admin might not show that much urgency.

True. Hope to see one Metro rail service in almost every state of India soon. Unfortunately, Chandigarh being a UT means its very difficult for projects to be cleared.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-16/chandigarh/32268547_1_east-west-corridor-metro-rail-project-dmrc

Administration vetting final draft

CHANDIGARH: The final plan for metro rail project for Chandigarh and its adjoining areas is ready as Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has submitted the draft of the detailed project report (DPR) to UT administration with exact details of the two north-south and east-west corridors.

A senior UT official said after studying the report, the administration will get back to DMRC with suggestions for any changes in the plan.


The first route will run from north of the city to the south and start from a site close to Capitol Complex, high court and Rock Garden in north will reach Sector 17 plaza through UT Secretariat on Jan Marg, ISBT-43 and go up to Aerocity in Mohali. In Mohali, it will cover City Centre and turn near Sohana gurdwara. The other route, East-West Corridor, will start from Sector 21, Panchkula and lead to railway station, Sector 17, PGI, Sarangpur and reach up to Mullanpur.

DMRC has also worked out financial model for making tube a viable project. Besides funding from the Centre and soft loans, Punjab and Haryana will also make contributions.

Haryana yet to okay stake in project (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Haryana-yet-to-okay-stake-in-project/articleshow/14253595.cms)

Even as the detailed project report of Metro Rail is set to be put up before the ministry of urban planning and planning commission shortly, Haryana is yet to officially convey its partnership in the project, as has been done by the other stakeholder, Punjab.

At a meeting of chief ministers of the two adjoining states with UT administrator Shivraj Patil last month, a detailed presentation on the project was given. "Punjab CM agreed to the proposal in principle while his Haryana counterpart agreed to examine the proposal in detail," said a UT spokesperson.

A senior UT official confirmed that a formal commitment from Haryana was yet to be received despite the rough financial model for the project based on equal contribution from both states.

"Punjab has already offered land for the project in Mullanpur, where it is coming up with an urban state. A corridor of Metro will also run into Mohali," said an official.

As per the plan, Metro will go up to Sector 21 in Panchkula in the first phase to give a Tricity character to the project.

Earlier, there was a plan to include Himachal Pradesh too in the financial model with a contribution of 10% of the total cost of Rs 8,000 crore for the first phase of the project. However, this was later ruled out as only a commuter rail will connect Metro to the hill state.

As per the plan, the entire capital costs will have to be borne by administration and only operation and maintenance of the system can be outsourced to a private operator. A special purpose vehicle (SPV) would be formed with the participation of Chandigarh administration and ministry of urban development as joint venture partners with 50:50 equity. Later, state governments of Punjab and Haryana will join the SPV when the metro system is extended to Mohali and Panchkula.

The overall cost of the entire Metro plan is estimated as Rs 5,615 crore, of which Rs 2,300 crore (Phase I - Rs 700 crore and Phase II - Rs 1600 crore) is for the commuter rail. Upgradation and widening of existing national highway will cost about Rs 645 crore (Phase I - Rs 385 crore and Phase II - Rs 260 crore). For proposed new bypasses and new roads Rs 2,670 crore will be required in Phase I.


Chandigarh Admin to go ahead with multi-crore metro project (http://www.dayandnightnews.com/2012/06/chandigarh-admin-to-go-ahead-with-multi-crore-metro-project/)

The Chandigarh administration has been facing criticism for lack of public transport policy for the city. This has resulted in people relying more on personal transport, resulting in chaos on city roads and lack of parking space at markets and residential areas. The administration has now planned for a metro rail project but people are skeptical about its success.

The Chandigarh administration has decided to go ahead with the multi-crore metro rail project. The deliberations on this ambitious project have been going on for a long time. Now, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has submitted its detailed project report and work is likely to start soon. The city residents are, however, skeptical about the success of the Metro in the State Capital Region.

A prominent environmentalist, Navdeep Asija, who is known for successfully running the eco cab project in Fazilka and other towns in Punjab, is not convinced that metro can be an effective public transport system in Chandigarh.

Asija feels that Chandigarh is more suitable for a bus transport system.

Asija also feels that there is a need for a three-tier public transport system. Cycle rickshaws are required to transport the people from their house to the nearest bus stop. Then people can use buses to cover long distances. Those who do not want to use the two could use the auto rickshaws.

Asija said that there was an immediate need to think of a proper public transport system. He also asserted the need to design new bus routes.

Chandigarh administration officials feel that public also has to change its mindset in this regard. The recently launched air-conditioned free bus service to the high court for the lawyers from different parts of city failed as it found no takers.

The Day and Night News team also talked to local residents to know their views on the public transport system.

However, it is for sure that metro or no metro, the bus service has to be improved in the State Capital Region as even the metro will not be connected to each and every sector.

Haryana yet to okay stake in project (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Haryana-yet-to-okay-stake-in-project/articleshow/14253595.cms)




Chandigarh Admin to go ahead with multi-crore metro project (http://www.dayandnightnews.com/2012/06/chandigarh-admin-to-go-ahead-with-multi-crore-metro-project/)

Shuru karo na yaar, shuru karo. Jaldi se. :ohno::bash:

DELETED

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation asks UT administration to seek loan for metro project

CHANDIGARH: For first phase of Metro Rail project for Chandigarh, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation DMRC) has recommended that UT administration should seek soft loans instead of going in for private funding. It has cited the example of Delhi Metro, which had got such funding from Japan. The project is set to cost over Rs 8,000 crore.

The preliminary draft of the detailed project report (DPR) has suggested a financial model top make Metro viable for Chandigarh. There have been apprehensions if the tube will generate enough revenue to make it break even, given the obsession of Chandigarh residents with private vehicles, giving city the dubious reputation of having the highest per capita vehicle ratio of two.

DMRC has reportedly pointed out that the option of private funding has resulted in unusual delay in execution of the project in other cities. Apart from UT, states of Punjab and Haryana will also pool in funds for infrastructure development of the project.

The DPR will be put up before the planning commission shortly to seek financial assistance from the centre as well. Sanctioned in 2007 by the Centre, actual work on the group is expected to bring next year. The first two corridors of Metro will also run into Panchkula and Mohali. The Metro network will be underground inside Chandigarh's territory so that it does not block the skyline of the city.

SOURCE-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Delhi-Metro-Rail-Corporation-asks-UT-administration-to-seek-loan-for-metro-project/articleshow/14407475.cms?

Underpasses or no underpasses: UT Admn, CHB hold contrary views

Chandigarh, Wed Jul 11 2012, 03:16 hrs

The UT Administration and its construction arm, Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB), seems to be passing the buck when it comes to clarifying their stand on the construction of the much delayed underpasses.

Both, CHB and Administration officials, have different views when it comes to construction of the underpasses.

A senior official of the CHB said, “The finalisation of the financial bids against a standardised basic design of 2009 was scrapped. Now, the tenders will again be floated. Also, out of the eight underpasses that were to be constructed, now, the execution of only two underpasses will be carried out first. There is no delay from our side, whenever we get the required funds we will begin construction”.

However, for the UT Administration, metro seems to have grabbed their attention and underpasses put on the back burner.

UT Adviser K K Sharma said, “At present we are focusing on the Metro and the underpasses will be constructed only if required”.

“I agree that the work on these underpasses haven’t begun. These underpasses need to be carefully planned, keeping in view the requirements. The provision of underpasses comes under the five year plan, if required we will work on constructing an underpass. Meanwhile, the Detailed Project Report for the Metro project has been finished and sent by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. A series of meetings have been held at a very senior level and the plan is to execute it in Mohali, Panchkula and Mullanpur,” Sharma added.

In fact, this stand of the UT Administration is quite contrary to what it had announced after the meeting held recently with the officials of the Planning Commission in New Delhi. At that time, the Administration officials had claimed that the construction of underpasses will be taken up on priority.

source- http://www.indianexpress.com/news/underpasses-or-no-underpasses-ut-admn-chb-hold-contrary-views/972908/0

Underpasses or no underpasses: UT Admn, CHB hold contrary views

Chandigarh, Wed Jul 11 2012, 03:16 hrs

The UT Administration and its construction arm, Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB), seems to be passing the buck when it comes to clarifying their stand on the construction of the much delayed underpasses.

Both, CHB and Administration officials, have different views when it comes to construction of the underpasses.

A senior official of the CHB said, “The finalisation of the financial bids against a standardised basic design of 2009 was scrapped. Now, the tenders will again be floated. Also, out of the eight underpasses that were to be constructed, now, the execution of only two underpasses will be carried out first. There is no delay from our side, whenever we get the required funds we will begin construction”.

However, for the UT Administration, metro seems to have grabbed their attention and underpasses put on the back burner.

UT Adviser K K Sharma said, “At present we are focusing on the Metro and the underpasses will be constructed only if required”.

“I agree that the work on these underpasses haven’t begun. These underpasses need to be carefully planned, keeping in view the requirements. The provision of underpasses comes under the five year plan, if required we will work on constructing an underpass. Meanwhile, the Detailed Project Report for the Metro project has been finished and sent by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. A series of meetings have been held at a very senior level and the plan is to execute it in Mohali, Panchkula and Mullanpur,” Sharma added.

In fact, this stand of the UT Administration is quite contrary to what it had announced after the meeting held recently with the officials of the Planning Commission in New Delhi. At that time, the Administration officials had claimed that the construction of underpasses will be taken up on priority.

source- http://www.indianexpress.com/news/underpasses-or-no-underpasses-ut-admn-chb-hold-contrary-views/972908/0


This project will definitely take time. It may be better to focus on ensuring good bus services for the time being.

^^
for sure... chandigarh already has one of the best city service in india.
CTU buses are very neat and clean,air conditioniung is very strong, and even there is very rare problem of over crowding, exept for some routes,niether u will face traffic jams, roads are very nice, u can travel in buses by sleeping. even for now there is no need of metro in the city, but definately will need it in future.
also there is very nice open tourist buses runs in chd. here is one--

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lzAtvLBeWxw/TVpR_MZfUzI/AAAAAAAAAB0/N8F8MFgDC5E/s1600/HOHO+Bus.jpg

^^
for sure... chandigarh already has one of the best city service in india.
CTU buses are very neat and clean,air conditioniung is very strong, and even there is very rare problem of over crowding, exept for some routes,niether u will face traffic jams, roads are very nice, u can travel in buses by sleeping. even for now there is no need of metro in the city, but definately will need it in future.
also there is very nice open tourist buses runs in chd. here is one--

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lzAtvLBeWxw/TVpR_MZfUzI/AAAAAAAAAB0/N8F8MFgDC5E/s1600/HOHO+Bus.jpg

The photo jo diya hai upar, is it the tourist type buses? Delhi/Jaipur/Agra can have such a bus. I want to see London style double deckers.

The photo jo diya hai upar, is it the tourist type buses? Delhi/Jaipur/Agra can have such a bus. I want to see London style double deckers.

jo photo upar diya hai wo tourist bus hi hai.
what's wrong with the bus?? it's a nice double-decker tourist bus.

jo photo upar diya hai wo tourist bus hi hai.
what's wrong with the bus?? it's a nice double-decker tourist bus.

What I meant was in public transport, not just for tourists. :)

^^
for sure... chandigarh already has one of the best city service in india.
CTU buses are very neat and clean,air conditioniung is very strong, and even there is very rare problem of over crowding, exept for some routes,niether u will face traffic jams, roads are very nice, u can travel in buses by sleeping. even for now there is no need of metro in the city, but definately will need it in future.
also there is very nice open tourist buses runs in chd. here is one--

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lzAtvLBeWxw/TVpR_MZfUzI/AAAAAAAAAB0/N8F8MFgDC5E/s1600/HOHO+Bus.jpg

i told u earlier about CTU buses for city bus service....these tourist buses are additional buses.
just like mumba hai BEST buses, but they have different buses called mumbai darshan.

Chandigrah to get 16 trains in 2018

CHANDIGARH: Sixteen Metro trains are expected to run in the city by 2018. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has fixed it as the projected year of completion, provided work begins next year. A detailed project report (DPR) has been submitted to administration.

Around 1.7 lakh passenger trips per day are expected on east-west corridor including 1.1 lakh passengers from Chandigarh, 14,645 from Punjab and 40,804 passengers from Haryana.

Similarly, DMRC has projected around 1.7 lakh passenger trips per day on Corridor-II.

In the first phase, a total of 37.573km metro rail project has been proposed including 23.468km elevated and 14.105km underground in the Tricity. Four-coach Metro trains would be designed to accommodate over 1,100 people. The Metro system will have a fleet of 16 trains of four coaches each.

Corridor-I will run from north to south and will start from a site close to Capitol Complex and will reach Sector 17 plaza through UT secretariat on Jan Marg, Sector 22 and 35, ISBT 43 and will go up to Aerocity in Mohali. In Mohali it will cover City Centre and will take a turn near Sohana gurdwara. Known as East West Corridor, Corridor-II, will start from Sector 21, Panchkula and lead to railway station Sector 17, PGI, Sarangpur and reach up to Mullanpur.

In the first phase, a total of 37.573km metro rail project has been proposed including 23.468km elevated and 14.105km underground in the Tricity. Four-coach Metro trains would be designed to accommodate over 1,100 people. The Metro system will have a fleet of 16 trains of four coaches each.

Corridor-I will run from north to south and will start from a site close to Capitol Complex and will reach Sector 17 plaza through UT secretariat on Jan Marg, Sector 22 and 35, ISBT 43 and will go up to Aerocity in Mohali. In Mohali it will cover City Centre and will take a turn near Sohana gurdwara. Known as East West Corridor, Corridor-II, will start from Sector 21, Panchkula and lead to railway station Sector 17, PGI, Sarangpur and reach up to Mullanpur.

^Based on that, here's a map with the 2 corridors. The 14 km underground section will lie completely in Chandigarh - on Madhya Marg (east-west line) and Jan Marg (north-south line)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2051/chdmetro2.png

The photo jo diya hai upar, is it the tourist type buses? Delhi/Jaipur/Agra can have such a bus. I want to see London style double deckers.

not buSES its a single bus

its not taken out when it rains
and not taken out when there are less than 20 people

have travelled on this bus and have done chandigarh tourism using this bus..

this bus doesnt wait after it completes its given time.

Align Metro to Command Hospital


In a crucial development, the representative of GOC, Western Command, has requested that while finalising the alignment of the proposed Metro Rail, the Command Hospital needs to be integrated in such a manner that it benefits by the Metro construction. He (the representative) has suggested that “Cantonment Board being a separate local body, the development therein also needs to be integrated in the city master plan”. Appreciating the concern of Cantonment Board, Secretary, Urban Development, has stated that “the same should also be integrated with Chandigarh while implementing the master plan. He also desired that in all the committees, the representation of the Cantonment may be included”.

This took place during a meeting of the coordination committee held last month. The minutes of the meeting was produced today by the Chandigarh Administration before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. As per the existing plan, the East-West Corridor of the Metro Rail connecting Panchkula and Chandigarh will start from Sector 21, Panchkula and terminate at Mullanpur. On the route the Metro rail will pass through Sectors 12, 12A, 11, 14, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5. From Sector 7, the Metro will take a turn towards the Housing Board light point. The route was discussed at a meeting of the Coordination Committee for development of Chandigarh and its periphery. If the representation of the Western Command is accepted, the Metro route will then be diverted from Sector road dividing 5 and 6 from where it will have to take a turn to road dividing Sector 6 and 1 and finally touching the gate of Western command.

On the other hand, Chief Administrator, GMADA said, in the meeting, that mass rapid transit system to be adopted for Chandigarh, Panchkula and GMADA area and requested the Metro should be taken to farther places in Mohali. On the issue of traffic, he added that “the traffic within the city has to be channelised in such a manner that there becomes no need of flyover since the flyovers change the basic character of the city. It was further discussed that proposals for underpasses can be considered in case of Chandigarh for the thorough traffic”.

“Moreover, new roads proposed in GMADA regional plan linking Chandigarh main roads I.e Dakshin Marg, Madhya Marg and Vikas Marg with national highways will result in congestion within Chandigarh, hence a bye pass ring road should be developed by Punjab government” reads the minutes of the meeting.

Chief Secretary, Punjab was of the view that Greater Mohali and Chandigarh should have integrated road systems and blocking traffic from Mohali is not going to help UT as the same traffic instead of getting divided on several roads will concentrate on a few existing roads only.

SOURCE- http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/punjab-haryana-say-yes-to-lowrises-for-ut-periphery/982716/

Metro to run under city centre

CHANDIGARH: The happening city centre in Sector 17 would now have Metro rail running underneath it before the two tube corridors planned in the first phase cross each other at Matka Chowk, intersection on sectors 9, 10, 16 and 17. It would be the north-south corridor of Metro, connecting Mohali with Capitol Complex that would run under the commercial hub. The entire tube system will be underground in the city area.

Besides, Transport Area would be shifted from its present location in Sector 26 to Daria and the current site would be used for setting up a Metro node on the Madhya Marg.

According to the draft concept Plan 2031 prepared by the urban planning department, most of the east-west corridor would move in a straight line along Madhya Marg before moving along a curve around Botanical Garden to reach Mullanpur.

Similarly, the north-south corridor, too, would reach Sector 22 in a straight line and then lean towards left to run across Sector 17 before turning straight again.

The exact alignment of the Metro corridors has been communicated to UT administration by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in its draft detailed project report, which has been incorporated in the draft master plan of Chandigarh.

"The Transport Area attracts a lot of trucks, which cause obstructions for Panchkula-Chandigarh traffic. As there is already a plan to shift out vegetable market and timber market, it would clear up prime land in the middle of the city. The Metro node there would probably be the busiest, apart from one planned near Sector 17 and Sector 9," said a UT official. A traffic study conducted by the UT engineering department had found that over 35,000 vehicles cross Madhya Marg during peak hours. The city has the highest per capita vehicle ratio (2:1) in the country.

The junctions with almost constant traffic congestion include Press chowk light point, Kisan Bhawan chowk, Piccadilly chowk, Transport chowk, Industrial Area Phases I, II, sectors 29-30 roundabout and Matka chowk. Four lakh daily commuters enter Chandigarh from Panchkula and Mohali.
source- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Metro-to-run-under-city-centre/articleshow/15397126.cms

DMRC presents Chandigarh Metro DPR to Shivraj PatiL:cheers:

A DMRC team led by its managing director Mangu Singh today presented the detailed report of the Chandigarh Metro Project to Punjab Governor and Chandigarh administrator Shivraj Patil.

Copies of the project report were also presented to Punjab Chief Secretary and Director of Town Planning (Haryana) for reference of the chief ministers of the two neighbouring states, officials said.

During the presentation, Patil said, "Our aim is to strengthen the public transport system at the quickest possible rate. For this reason we are constantly corresponding with the Governments of Punjab and Haryana so that the project can be started at the earliest."

The proposed North-South corridor for Chandigarh constitutes 8.04 km underground and 4.43 km elevated track and the East-West corridor has a proposed length of 6.04 km underground and 19.04 km elevated track.
Punjab will have a total track length of 7.8 km and Haryana 6.41 km running through its territory under this project.

In total, 30 stations have been earmarked, each at an average distance of 1.210 km on the North-South corridor and 1.206 km on the East-West corridor.

The Rs 10,900 crore project, when completed, will benefit three lakh commuters daily and the tri-city will have a total 37 km of Metro Rail.

SOURCE-- http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/dmrc-presents-chandigarh-metro-report-to-shivraj-patil/44927/

Matka Chowk to be dismantled for constructing Metro station

Chandigarh DPR says roundabout is one of the landmarks that would be hit; to be reconstructed later.
THE construction of stations for Metro Rail would require dismantling of some landmarks in the city. These would be reconstructed once the construction of the metro station is complete. A total of 30 metro stations would be constructed along the two proposed corridors at an average distance of around 1.2 km.

As per the detailed project report (DPR) of the Metro Rail submitted by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, one of the landmarks of the city that would be affected would be the Matka Chowk. The roundabout is characterised by a fountain located in the middle that is shaped like a matka or earthen pot. Hence, the name of the roundabout. The roundabout would be dismantled for construction of an underground station. After the construction is over, the roundabout is likely to be reconstructed. For the construction of the metro station in Sector 17, digging work would take place at the Football Ground in Sector 17. The ground is likely to remain closed for some time because of this. A decision is yet to be taken on what would be done with the earth that is excavated.

Roundabouts at all major intersections was a concept of Le Corbusier. While designing the roads, Corbusier had stated that all major intersections should have roundabouts instead of traffic lights to ensure free flow of traffic. Due to the increasing traffic, it has become necessary to install traffic lights at the roundabouts. However, it would be for the first time that a roundabout would be dismantled and then reconstructed. There would be a total of four stations on the Madhya Marg. It would be in sectors 9, 17, 22, 34, 43, 26 as well as near the Capitol Complex that the metro stations would be underground. At the remaining places, these would be elevated.

When the proposal for Metro Rail was floated in the city, one of the concerns was that the city’s character should not be tampered with. That is why within the sectoral grid, the Metro is underground. It is when the corridors reach the peripheral areas that the Metro would be elevated. For the construction of Metro station even where these are underground in the sectoral grid, the structures above these would be dismantled. For the construction of the corridors, the tunnelling system would be used. This would be done to ensure that the green cover of the city is not damaged. For this reason, the corridors for the Metro Rail within the city are being constructed below the medians.

Metro matters

A Metro station is to be constructed near the railway station. Two entry structures have been planned on the end closer to the railway station. Both will exist on the parking areas on eastern side of the railway station. The structure to the south of the alignment will have a connection to foot overbridge to facilitate transfer of passengers.

The metro station that is to be constructed near the Capitol Complex is being planned in such a manner that the person entering the station is able to get a clear view of the most renowned work of Le Corbusier.

For the purpose of ticketing, Store Value Contactless Smart Card would be used in case of multiple trips. The detailed project report states that the system of smart cards would prove to be more economical in the long run. In caseof manual ticketing, people would have to be hired and salaries paid. The automatic system, says the report, would be more efficient as well

^^
that is the worst part in building metro, chandigarh is such a beautiful city and well planned city,with lots of nice structures. m afraid that it will effect the beauty of the city.
they should go for majority of underground route, only 14 out of 37km is UG.
hope it will not temper the beauty!!

Oh that Matka chowk is really beautiful especially when water flows thro it. I remember they changed that in 1992, when i used to pass by that chowk everyday in bus while going to college. If u see in both direction from that chowk ( towards sector 9/10 & sector 16/17), very beautiful road.

^^
that is the worst part in building metro, chandigarh is such a beautiful city and well planned city,with lots of nice structures. m afraid that it will effect the beauty of the city.
they should go for majority of underground route, only 14 out of 37km is UG.
hope it will not temper the beauty!!
Going by the articles, it seems metro will be completely UG in the city & elevated in Mohali, P'kula & Mullanpur

^^No,this is not true,14 out of 37 is underground,
about 15 kms of network will be outside chandigarh.(in both punjab and haryana)
about remaning 22kms of route which will be inside chandigarh,14km is underground.so, about 8kms atleast will be elevated route in chandigarh.!!

^^ Yes you are right, just checked this article (http://www.punjabnewsline.com/news/DMRC-presents-Chandigarh-Metro-to-Punjab-Guv.html). I think the East-West line is more elevated in Chandigarh than N-S line. Also looks like the depots for both lines will be outside city limits- link (http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/CHD-chandigarh-metro-dreams-alive-and-kicking-2100128.html)

I am not from Chandigarh but aren't the roads broad enough to accommodate elevated lines? I feel since the city is a planned one, there'll be less chaos in building the Metro compared to Bangalore or Chennai (places I've been to) and the Metro routes can complement the city's 'sector' design.

It has good roads but also one of the highest per capita vehicles in Indian cities

I am not from Chandigarh but aren't the roads broad enough to accommodate elevated lines? I feel since the city is a planned one, there'll be less chaos in building the Metro compared to Bangalore or Chennai (places I've been to) and the Metro routes can complement the city's 'sector' design.

They are going for underground lines not because of congestion but to protect the character of the city.

Metro to generate more benefits than cost (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/Metro-to-generate-more-benefits-than-cost/SP-Article1-920354.aspx)

Within 10 years of its commissioning in 2018, the Chandigarh Metro is expected to generate economic benefits more than estimated cost of first phase of project worth Rs. 10,900 crore.
As per the detailed project report (DPR), the Metro will lead to huge savings on various components, including fuel spent on personal vehicles, vehicle operating cost (VOC), their environmental impact, vehicles' accident cost, maintenance cost of traffic infrastructure and cost of time spent by residents in driving their personal vehicles.

As per the figures available in the project report, the time cost saved by Metro passengers is Rs. 6,423 crore in nine years. With the implementation of the project, the consumption of petrol and diesel will also get reduced. The passengers are expected to save Rs. 1,054 crore on fuel and Rs. 1,282 on vehicle - bus, two-wheeler, car and three-wheeler - operating cost (VOC).

The Metro will also help save Rs. 39.74 crore as accident cost of personal vehicles and Rs. 164 crore as traffic infrastructure maintenance cost. Besides, in the first nine years, the Metro will help save Rs. 117 crore on environmental impact of lakhs of personal vehicles, which would eventually be phased out by the Metro.

In the first phase, a 37.57km Metro network will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 10,900 crore. The first phase will be operational by 2018 and will provide benefits of over Rs. 11,000 crore by the year 2028.

These components have been quantified by linking it with the number of passengers shifting from road/rail mode of transportation to Metro. The total benefits have been calculated by subtracting the economic cost of the project - incurred for construction and maintenance - from the benefits of the project each year. The net benefit value, which would be negative during the initial years, becomes positive as years pass.

The cost of Metro construction is derived after considering the cost of all major components, such as relocation and rehabilitation (RR), civil construction for underground and elevated stations, depot track laying, signaling and telecommunication.

Metro to have stoppage at Chandigarh railway station (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/metro-to-have-stoppage-at-chandigarh-railway-station/994087/)

Detailed project report submitted by DMRC says Railways’ nod needed for places where Metro is to cross railway lines

Passengers to and from the railway station would be facilitated once the Metro Rail starts operations, with a metro station to be provided here. There are more than 12,000 passengers who commute daily by trains from Chandigarh railway station. The Metro is planned in such a manner that there is integration of various modes of transport.

The stoppage at the railway station is included in the East West corridor of the Metro Rail. The corridor would start from Sector 21 Panchkula and end at Mullanpur. In between there would be around 20 other stations.

A little ahead of the transport lightpoint the Metro would take a right turn and reach the Railway Station crossing railway lines. The corridor would run from behind Kalagram and then finally meet the Housing Board lightpoint. The Detailed Project Report submitted recently by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation states that permission should be sought from the Railway authorities for places where the Metro is to cross railway lines.

UT Finance Secretary V K Singh said it was important to connect Metro to the rail station to facilitate the passengers. For some distance, Metro would not be on the extension of Madhya Marg and instead move behind Kalagram.

A Metro station would be constructed at the rail station. Two entry structures have been planned on the end closer to the station. Both will exist on the parking areas on eastern side of the railway station. The structure to the south of the alignment will have a connection to the foot overbridge.

The Metro station would ensure that the passengers alighting at the rail Station get easy connectivity to different sectors. Metro stations would be present near the bus stands at Sector 17 and 43. The concept of Metro Rail entails A bus service has been started on the Metro routes. People alighting from the Metro would be able to find a connecting service. Once the project is completed it would reduce the traffic congestion as it is expected that the use of private vehicles would reduce.

Interiors will be aesthetically pleasing, spacious (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Interiors-will-be-aesthetically-pleasing-spacious/articleshow/15868250.cms)

Chandigarh Metro's interiors will be aesthetically pleasing with state-of-the-art technology as well as spacious for comfortable travelling. The new-age features being included in phase III of Delhi Metro will be incorporated for the benefit of commuters, especially standees.

"The gangways are designed to give a wider, comfortable standing space during peak hours along with easy and faster passenger movement, especially in case of an emergency," reads the detailed project report prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

"Passenger capacity is maximized in a Metro system by providing longitudinal seats and utilizing the remaining space for standing passengers. Therefore, all the equipment are mounted on the under frame for maximum space utilization," it adds.
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For swift evacuation of passengers, four doors of adequate width will be provided on each side of the coach. These doors will be of such dimension and location that all passengers inside the train are able to evacuate within least possible time without conflicting movements.

As the Metro trains will take a ramp to come on elevated sections, automatic door closing mechanism has been planned for passenger safety. The door will be bi-parting sliding type as in the existing DMRC coaches.

For phase III of Delhi Metro, DMRC has decided to add new features to make the interiors of the tube look smarter. It will have dynamic route maps based on LED technology, LED-based display panels and grab handles for standing passengers.

Provision for escalators will be made at entrances from both sides of the platform. Initially, tickets will be issued manually. But at a later stage, automatic ticketing will be provided for which space provision has been made in the plan.

Tube to check road stress, boost comfort

CHANDIGARH: The maddening traffic at city's roundabouts during peak hours can unnerve even the most patient of commuters and trigger road rage. To tackle this worsening traffic chaos, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in its study-based report has claimed that the tube would not only save crores of rupees on account of faster travel, but also bring stress level of commuters down.

Evaluating the tangible and intangible benefits of Metro for the city, the report has pointed out that the present traffic situation not only burns a hole in commuter's pocket with higher vehicle maintenance cost, but also brings with it a host of health hazards like vehicular pollution.

After conducting surveys, DMRC has concluded that the time cost derived from the passenger's monthly income level comes to Rs 1.27/minutes in the year 2016. With this as the basis, the total annual time cost saved by Metro passengers will come to Rs 271.82 in the year 2018. At the same time, since there will be lesser traffic congestion on the roads, even those travelling by private vehicles will end up saving Rs 18.75 (annually) in terms of lesser travel time.

The travel time saved constitutes nearly 61% of the total benefits from Metro system, followed by vehicle operating cost (18%) and fuel cost (13%).

The tube is expected to make people switch over to public transport in a big way. It will check stress by providing a comfortable travel to passengers and making drive smooth for others by reducing vehicular rush.

The existing road stress caused by wrong overtaking and delays at jams and traffic lights too might be ruled out. This will eventually lead to better quality of life.

"The intangible advantages include socio-economic benefits of reduced road stress, travel time; better accessibility, comfort and quality of life and increase in mobility," the report mentioned.

The planners have highlighted the urgent need to tackle the existing traffic scenario, wherein there is no further scope for widening of roads and most busy crossings cannot accommodate more traffic at peak time.

"The population of Chandigarh Urban Complex (CUC) - comprising Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula - has been growing fast at a rate of over 5% per year in the last decade. There has been a phenomenal growth in the population of vehicles as well, especially of two and four wheelers', in this period and their rising use due to rising household incomes," the report added.

Chandigarh has the highest per capita income in the country. The city also receives traffic from nearby towns such as Zirakpur, Kharar and Derabassi in Punjab, Pinjore-Kalka and Alipur Kot Behla in Haryana and Baddi, Nalagarh and Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh, it stated.

The report pointed out that traffic composition on roads indicates very high share of two wheelers on most stretches. The share of cars is also growing. On some of the roads, the share of two wheelers and cars in total traffic is more than 80%. This indicates inadequate public transport system.

Source: The Times of India
Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Tube-to-check-road-stress-boost-comfort/articleshow/15970596.cms

Chandigarh Metro Rail Corporation to have independent mandate

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Chandigarh-Metro-Rail-Corporation-to-have-independent-mandate/articleshow/16001404.cms)
The affairs of Chandigarh Metro will be run by a Chandigarh Metro Rail Corporation (CMRC), which will be headed by a managing director.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), in its detailed project report has recommended that for CMRC, it should be a lean but effective organization with full mandate and total power - with accountability and responsibility - free from political and bureaucratic control.

CMRC management, it adds, should comprise the managing director with full executive powers executive power and the functional directors would be full time members of the management board.

"Implementing a metro project in a congested metropolis is indeed a challenge. In sheer size, magnitude and technical complexity there are few parallels of metro projects. Further, these projects are to be carried out in difficult urban environment without disturbing city life, while at the same time preserving the environment, adds the report.

The detailed project report has been submitted to UT administration by DMRC and Metro is expected to become operational by 2018.

Lots of articles for chandigarh metro now a days

Metro will cater to over 3 lakh daily in 2018

IE (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/metro-will-cater-to-over-3-lakh-daily-in-2018/996936/0)
DPR states that 22.01 per cent would be travelling 3-4 km on Metro

The Metro Rail would cater to around 3.42 lakh passengers daily in 2018 — the year of its completion. Of these passengers, the maximum percentage would be of those who would travel a distance of three to four kilometres, says the detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

As per the DPR, which states that the burden on the city roads would be substantially reduced once the Metro is operational, the North South corridor from Capitol Complex to Gurdwara Singh Shaheeda would cater to around 1.68 lakh passengers. Of these, 1.14 lakh would be from Chandigarh and 53,309 from Punjab. The East West corridor from Transport Terminus to Grain Market would cater to 1.73 lakh passengers. Of these, 1.18 lakh would be from Chandigarh, 14,645 from Punjab and 40,804 from Haryana.

The DPR states that the highest percentage of passengers — 22.01 per cent — would be travelling a distance of three to four kilometres on the Metro. The least percentage — around 0.13 per cent — would travel longer distances ranging from 19 to 20 km. The frequency of trains would be 12 minutes during peak hours and 16 to 30 minutes at other times.

A survey was also conducted about the vehicular traffic in different parts of the tricity. It was observed that the traffic varies from 4,780 vehicles between Sector 68 and Sector 79 in Mohali to more than 73,000 vehicles on Madhya Marg before Chandigarh Railway Station. The other areas where the vehicular traffic is high are Sarovar Path between Sectors 18 and 19, Dakshin Marg before Sector 29-31 roundabout, Madhya Marg between Sector 26 and 27 and Himalayan Marg between Sector 18 and 19. The numbers are expected to go higher in the coming years.

It is said once the Metro Rail becomes operational, it would ease out the traffic congestion in the tricity. It would save time as well as fuel costs. The accident rate is also expected to decrease with less vehicles on the roads. This, in turn, would further reduce the cost in maintenance of roads and other infrastructure. Around 82 per cent of the traffic volume at present consists of light fast moving passenger vehicles. The share of slow-moving vehicles ranges from 6 to 22 per cent. Bus traffic comprises 0.82 per cent between Sectors 11 and 15 and is the highest before the Railway Station.

Around 1.73 lakh passengers commute through public transport including bus and autos everyday from 60 bus stops. As many as 48 per cent of the passengers use buses for going to work, 21 per cent for reaching education institutes and 29 per cent for social purposes. Around 24 per cent of the passengers spend Rs 10 to 20 to reach the bus stop from their place of origin. Most of the people surveyed were eager to switch over to the Metro once it starts functioning.

Chandigarh Metro to have an almost quiet run

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Chandigarh-Metro-to-have-an-almost-quiet-run/articleshow/16229068.cms)
As Metro trains will pass through densely populated areas in the city, extra care will be taken to keep noise and vibration levels under control.

"These two are important criteria from public acceptance point of view. The sources of noise are rail-wheel interaction, noise generated from equipment like air conditioner, door, inverter and compressor," says the detailed project report submitted by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

The solution lies in providing train floor with noise absorption material, low speed compressor, blower and air conditioner, smooth and gradual control of door and sealing design to reduce the aspiration of noise through gap in sliding doors.

On lines of Delhi Metro, Chandigarh Metro will have longitudinally aligned seats - with passengers' backs facing the windowpane. Four-coach metro train will have a seating capacity of 184 and 976 standees — a total of 1,160 passengers (in case of peak period crush load of six persons per square metre).

DMRC had proposed two corridors spread over a total of 25-kmr tube along Himalaya Marg (Sector 1 - Sector 17 - Sector 43 - Sector 51) and Madhya Marg (Khuda Lahora - Housing Board - Manimajra - IT Park) in the first phase.

To begin with, Metro would have a frequency of 10 minutes and it could be reduced to 3 minutes with passage of time. BRTS and CRS will be covering 190.5km and 190km, respectively. A total of 11 corridors for BRTS system have been planned by RITES to ferry passengers to the nearest Metro station.

An integrated ticketing system has been proposed so that passengers are able to switch modes of transport. This would be a major convenience for the general public as it avoids wastage of time in buying tickets again and again.

According to the traffic survey conducted by RITES, over four lakh people travel in and out of Chandigarh on a daily basis and at certain intersections on Madhya Marg over 12,000 to 15,000 vehicles pass in one hour.

Chandigarh Metro: Info, safety system on track

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Chandigarh-Metro-Info-safety-system-on-track/articleshow/16228831.cms)
The Chandigarh Metro Rail system will have state-of-the-art information and telecommunication system for the benefit of commuters at the stations and inside the trains. A total of 30 stations will be built in the first phase of the project. Here are the key features of the system:

Passenger announcement system The system will be used for transmitting messages from the operational control center and the local stations. Announcements from stations will override those from the control center in case of an emergency.

Train destination indicator system LED/LCD based boards with adequate visibility at convenient locations in all stations to provide bilingual visual indication of status of running trains.

Centralised control system It will provide accurate time through a synchronization system of clocks driven from a master clock fed from a global positioning system placed at the operation control room. The system will ensure identical display of time at all locations.

Passenger information display system The displays will be located at convenient locations at all the stations to provide bilingual visual indications of the status of the running trains and will typically indicate information such as destination, arrival/departure time and also special messages in emergencies. The boards will be provided at all platforms and concourse of all stations. The system will be integrated with passenger announcement system.

CCTV system It will provide video surveillance and recording for each system. The system will have a mix of fixed cameras and pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras. These will be located at areas where monitoring for security, safety and crowd control is necessary.

Transmission media Optical fibre system as the main source of telecommunication system.

Train radio system Digital train radio (TETRA) communication between motorman of moving cars, stations, maintenance personnel and central control.

Train protection system Using, automatic train protection system, movement of all trains to be logged on to central computer.

Articles theek hai, jab pillars upar ajayenge tah baat alag hai.

Taking a tube to Rock Garden from Mohali will no longer be possible as Metro Rail is set to give the world-renowned tourist spot a miss. According to its final alignments, the north-south corridor will head straight to the Capitol Complex from Matka Chowk, and the earlier plan has been changed.

It was due to the high footfall of tourists at Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake that RITES had originally proposed to have a stop of Metro Rail before the end station at the Capitol Complex but this plan was found unfeasible in the final alignments made by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) taking into account the presence of underground services and availability of land for the corridor and stations.

Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Metro-to-give-touristy-Rock-Garden-a-miss/articleshow/16648358.cms

^^ rock garden and sukhna lake are one of the finest tourist attraction in chandigarh.!!
as well as one of the adda for lovers!!
this will be a big miss for loving birds. :lol:

^^ rock garden and sukhna lake are one of the finest tourist attraction in chandigarh.!!
as well as one of the adda for lovers!!
this will be a big miss for loving birds. :lol:

True. But as long as it runs through the main corridors, well and good. Time is of the essence here. The Punjab, Haryana, UT and Union governments must try to start work on this project as soon as possible. This project will boost the Chandigarh-Mohali-Panchkula area's chances of emerging as a Metro. Jaipur and Gurgaon have already taken the initiative. :)

For Metro, land may be acquired in Panchkula too (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/for-metro-land-may-be-acquired-in-panchkula-too/1016190/0)

The sword of acquisition of residential areas hangs not only on the heads of residents of Chandigarh, but also on those residing in Panchkula. The Detailed Project Report of the Metro suggests that some residential buildings will have to be acquired for construction of the Metro stations in the Haryana city.

In Panchkula, the Metro is elevated throughout instead of being underground as in the case of Chandigarh. There would be seven Metro stations in Panchkula. From the Housing Board lightpoint in Chandigarh, the Metro would move towards Panchkula. In order to save the mazar on the centre of the road, the alignment would turn northwards. A petrol pump on the road has been proposed to be acquired.

After turning right, alignment has been planned along the median of the road towards Panchkula Bus Stand. From there it would turn right towards sectors 10 and 11. Thereafter, it moves along the road between sectors 11 and 14 towards Sector 20. For construction of a Metro station at this point, some residential buildings have been suggested for acquisition.

A total of 6,586.5 square metre of private land is proposed to be acquired in Sector 11. Out of this, 1,209.4 square metre is residential and the remaining is open land. The residential buildings that are proposed for acquisition are present in the row of houses between House Number 257 and 270. The residents, however, express their ignorance about any such proposal.

An area resident said no official had approached them about such a proposal. She added that no one would want to give up their house as the compensation for acquiring land was not sufficient to buy property with the rates being very high these days. Similar views were expressed by other area residents.

In Sector 14, open land opposite the market is proposed for acquisition. The Metro would then cross National Highway 22 and having a reverse curve of 200 m through a mango plantation, it would align along the road between sectors 20 and 21. The last station on the route would be Grain Market. For this station, a triple-storey house — 1308, Sector 21 — has been proposed for acquisition. This comprises an area of 222 square metres.

Apart from the residential buildings, green belts and other open spaces would also be acquired. The report states that a total of 79 families would be affected due to construction of the Metro. Some families would be displaced.

Metro DPR lists three alternative alignments (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/metro-dpr-lists-three-alternative-alignments/1017302/)

The detailed project report of the Metro has suggested three alternative alignments for the tricity. While the alignment within Chandigarh remains the same, there is some difference in the peripheral areas. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has recommended one of the alignments for the tricity. However, the station loads and peak loads for all the three alignments have been calculated.

The route that has been recommended for the Metro Rail is the one where the North-South corridor runs from Capitol Complex to Gurdwara Shaheeda while the East-West corridor is from Transport Terminal, Mohali, to Grain Market in Panchkula. As many as 30 Metro stations have been planned on the route. The route is termed alternative 2.

Apart from this, there are two more routes that have been suggested. In alternative 1, the North-South corridor is the same as in alternative 2. The East-West corridor starts from PGI and ends at Grain Market, Panchkula. The stations at Transport Terminal, Mullanpur, Sarangpur and Khuda Lahora are missing in this. In alternative 3, the North-South corridor extends to Mohali sectors 79, 81, Knowledge City, IT City and Chhat village.

The Metro report suggests that in the first phase, the East-West corridor is up to Gurdwara Shaheeda, but it could be extended up to the Aerocity if the need arises. An official of the UT Administration said that three alternatives had been given in the report in order to have a wider choice. The final approval of the report from the Centre is awaited.

The report has listed out the station load for each of the three alternatives. The maximum station load in the two corridors has been calculated for alternative 3 and the minimum for alternative 1. In the North-South corridor, for alternative 1, there would be 1,38,852 passengers per day, for alternative 2, it would be 1,43,510, and for alternative 3, it would be 1,46,332.

For the East-West corridor, the peak station load for alternatives 1, 2 and 3 would be 1,38,814, 1,48,994 and 1,53,631 respectively.

Since the construction of the Metro would affect the tricity, apart from Chandigarh, the governments of Punjab and Haryana are involved in the project. A presentation of the alignment has been given to the representatives of the city and the two states, and certain stations added at the recommendations of the states.

Experts pick holes in Metro report, point to traffic problems (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/experts-pick-holes-in-metro-report-point-to-traffic-problems/1026819/)

The construction of Metro stations is likely to add to the parking woes of the city residents. With the detailed project report prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation not making any separate parking provisions for different stations, the existing parking lots are likely to be overburdened. The city is already overflowing with vehicles, with a constant complaint of the city residents being that of lack of parking spaces.

Recently, a group of architects studied the report about Metro. Amongst the other observations made by them is that after the Metro becomes operational, the parking woes in the city would increase. As per the report, there are no additional parking facilities at Metro stations of Sectors 9, 21, 34 on North-South corridor and no parking on Metro stations in Sector 16, 9, 7 on East-West corridor. The same is the case with stations in Panchkula and Mohali.

Architect-planner Archana Chaudhary, who headed the committee that studied the report, says, “The plans for the various Metro stations that are given in the report show that no parking is proposed. At some places the existing parking lots will be used for parking of vehicles. The Metro has been proposed with the aim of reducing the use of cars by people and making them shift to public transport. However, people will use some mode of transport to reach the station.”

Chaudhary says that as per the final report by DMRC, if 1,160 passengers are going to travel per train in the peak hours in Metro in 2018, then parking for at least 200 cars should be there for the passengers. Bare minimum provisions will have to be made, she adds.

Around 120 vehicles are registered per day in the city. The parking lots in the city are overflowing with vehicles. In the festival season, vehicles can be seen parked on the roadsides as well. As per the report, for the station at Aroma Chowk, the parking lot at the Sector 22 market would be utilised. While for the one at Matka Chowk which is the intersection of the two corridors, it is proposed that parking could be done at the market in Sector 9. The same is the case with market in Sector 7.

Architect and nominated councillor Surinder Bahga says, “There is a need to take a holistic view of the parking situation in the city. The space that is required for parking after Metro is operational should be calculated. Accordingly, provisions should be made.”

The parking situation in the city is chaotic with the residents constantly complaining of lack of parking space in the commercial and residential areas. Since the city is short of land, creation of additional parking space is an uphill task. The Metro Rail would cater to around 3.42 lakh passengers in 2018 once it is completed. While the provision for connectivity through other means of public transport is proposed, experts say the bare minimum requirement of parking should be met.

It is known that DMRC is not a good urban planner. But, if the intention is that 20% of people will be driving cars to a metro station in a small city like Chandigarh, then there is no use building the metro. They can very well drive the car to the destination.Building metro lines mechanically without giving a comfortable last mile connectivity is of no use. DMRC needs to include this while preparing DPRs instead of churning out the DPRs with same design and specifications in factory mode

Punjab approves Chandigarh-Mohali metro project

Link (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/Punjab-approves-Chandigarh-Mohali-metro-project/SP-Article1-971970.aspx)

Punjab cabinet on Wednesday approved the ambitious Rs. 1,427 crore project to link the city with its satellite town Mohali.

The decision to link SAS Nagar Mohali with Chandigarh was taken at a meeting of the cabinet chaired by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, an official spokesperson said here.

The total length of the metro rail covering Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali was 37.57 kms, to be completed at a cost of Rs. 10,900 crore.

Two corridors would be developed from Capital Complex Chandigarh to Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan Sector 70 in Mohali having a length of 12.49 Kms, of which 3.97 Kms in Mohali city.

The second corridor would be from Mullanpur (Punjab portion) to Grain Market Panchkula (Haryana) having a length of 25.07 Kms, of which 3.87 Kms would be in Mullanpur.

Physical demarcation of Metro Rail route likely to start from next week (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/physical-demarcation-of-metro-rail-route-likely-to-start-from-next-week/1046823/)

The physical demarcation of the Metro Rail route is likely to be started from next week with the tenders to be opened on December 18. Along the route milestones indicative of the route will be installed.

The demarcation is being done after residents from different sectors started approaching the officials of the administration expressing apprehension about acquisition of residential or commercial areas. It was apprehended that in some areas, people might be displaced due to the land acquisition. With there being lack of clarity on the issue, it was decided that physical demarcation be done.

The Metro Rail will have two corridors. The North-South corridor will be from the Capitol Complex to Gurdwara Shaheeda. The East-West corridor will extend from Grain Market in Panchkula to Transport Area in Mullanpur. The demarcation, however, will be done only for the area that falls in Chandigarh.

As per the detailed project report prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, as many as 79 families in the tricity are likely to be affected due to construction of the Metro corridors. Of these, a few will be displaced. Apart from residential buildings, some commercial areas will also be affected.

An official said that after the physical demarcation, there would be some clarity on the land that would come in the route of the Metro Rail. Attempts would be made not to acquire land.

In Chandigarh, the Metro will be underground within the sectoral grid and elevated once it enters the peripheral areas. A total of 30 metro stations will be constructed along the two proposed corridors at an average distance of around 1.2 km. The land adjoining the stations is proposed to be acquired as per the DPR. The plans for the stations have specified certain areas where land could be acquired.

The residents of different sectors had approached the officials of the administration seeking clarity on the issue. Meetings of the welfare associations had also been held where the residents demanded that the route be altered at places where residential land was required to be acquired as they would not want to be displaced.

Physical demarcation of Metro Rail route likely to start from next week (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/physical-demarcation-of-metro-rail-route-likely-to-start-from-next-week/1046823/)

Till construction starts and finance is finalised, we cannot say anything. :ohno:

i think Ludhiana is more need metro then other city of punjab

i think Ludhiana is more need metro then other city of punjab

But u need money. Ludhiana Metro is proposed on PPP which means less chance of getting off. :ohno:

Physical demarcation of Metro routes kicks off (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/physical-demarcation-of-metro-routes-kicks-off/1066027/0)

http://static.indianexpress.com/m-images/M_Id_350853_Metro_.jpg

Process yet to start in Mohali and Panchkula

The process of physical demarcation of the Metro Rail alignment has started in the city, with the rail route being marked.

Wooden pegs are being installed on the route that the Metro Rail will take. Once the pegs are installed, officials from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will be called for inspection. After the alignment is approved by them, milestones will be installed along the route.

The exercise for demarcation was started after residents from different sectors gave representations to the administration expressing concern about the likelihood of their houses coming in the way of the Metro stations. As per the Detailed Project Report of the Metro, apart from government land, some stretches in the residential areas would also be acquired. In order to allay fears of the residents and know the ground reality, the administration decided to get physical demarcation done.

As per the DMRC report, there are 79 families in the Tricity that will be affected due to construction of Metro. A few of these will be displaced. Apart from residential buildings, some commercial areas will also be affected.

An official of the UT Administration said that the process was likely to be completed within a fortnight. "Work for demarcation is simultaneously being undertaken along both the corridors. Once it is completed, officials from DMRC will be asked to inspect the route. Then the milestones will be installed," he said.

Union govt seeks clarification on city metro rail project

Link (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/Union-govt-seeks-clarification-on-city-metro-rail-project/SP-Article1-1007036.aspx)

The ministry of urban development (MUD) has sought clarifications from the UT administration regarding certain issues pertaining to the ambitious metro rail project.

Last year, the UT administration had submitted a detailed project report to the ministry for approval.

The MUD wants to know whether all the stakeholders - Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh -- have given their approval to the project.

The UT administration has also been asked to give details of the fund-sharing formula with Punjab and Haryana. The MUD also wants to know how the required funds would be generated.

Recently, the Punjab cabinet had given its nod to the metro rail project, clearing the decks for linking Chandigarh with SAS Nagar.

According to senior officials, though Haryana has agreed to the project in principal, it is yet to give its formal approval. The administration would again be writing to Haryana on the issue.

Officials from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh would soon hold a meeting to discuss the project in detail. The estimated cost of the project is nearly Rs. 10,900 crore, which would be shared by the Centre, Chandigarh administration and the governments of Punjab and Haryana. :cheers:

Senior officials revealed that the UT was planning to borrow from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which also funded the Delhi metro rail project.

The total length of metro rail, covering Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar, would be 37.57km.

The first phase would become operational by 2018, and would start earning a profit of over Rs. 11,000 crore by 2026.

The first corridor, 12.497 km long, would stretch from the Capitol Complex building to the Gurudwara Singh Saheed; the 5.076km-long second corridor would stretch from the transport terminus to the grain market in Sector 26.

As per the detailed project report (DPR) assumes that the metro would dissuade people from using personal vehicles, thereby cutting expenditure on various components -- fuel, vehicle operating cost (VOC), environmental impact, vehicular accidents, maintenance and cost of traffic infrastructure. It would also cut down the commutation time.

UT replies to MUD queries on Metro

Link (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/UT-replies-to-MUD-queries-on-Metro/1069991/)

The UT Administration has replied to the queries sent by the Ministry of Urban Development about the Metro Rail report. The report had been sent to the MUD as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs a few months ago. The ministry had sent some queries seeking clarity on several issues, with one of the primary issues being funding for the project.

The funding for the project, that is expected to cost around Rs 10,900 crore is to be shared between Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

The Administration in its reply has stated that the Punjab government has given approval for providing its share of funds. The approval was given in a Cabinet meeting. For funding by Chandigarh a model has been provided in the Detailed Project Report (DPR). It is expected that funds will be sought from some international agencies.

It is after the ministry gives its nod to the Administration that work on the Metro Rail project will be started. While according to the DPR, the construction of the Metro was to start in April this year, this deadline will be missed.

At present the physical demarcation of the two routes of the Metro Rail is going on. Officials from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) are expected to visit the city soon to inspect this. :cheers:

CHANDIGARH: One of the most famous landmarks in the city - Matka Chowk - will soon vanish from its location between sectors 16, 17 and sectors 9 and 10, if the report prepared by RITES, an engineering consultancy firm specializing in transport infrastructure development, is to be believed.

In its report prepared to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow on both sides of the Jan Marg, RITES has removed the prominent roundabout to give way to an underpass that would decongest traffic. The firm has suggested around half a dozen under passes in its report.

"The Matka roundabout has been removed in the drawings made by RITES based on their detailed survey. The idea is to let the traffic move uninterrupted in a constant flow on the both sides of the busy Jan Marg. The other proposed underpasses will be developed near Aroma lightpoint, near Piccadilly roundabout, at sectors 34/35 rotary and Housing Board lightpoint," said UT's chief architect Sumit Kaur.

The engineering department of the UT administration is ready to start with the work of metro rail in the city and will allot the tenders for preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for the construction of these underpasses in the coming week.

"All the exercise of tender process to allot work to a competent company that will prepare DPR to construct underpasses here is complete. The tender will be announced soon," said a senior official of UT's engineering department.

As per the prepared drawings, both the major underpasses on Dakshin Marg and Madhya Marg will cover around 10km stretch in total.

The underpasses will have turning points for smooth inside entries in various sectors on either side of the prominent roads that connect the city to neighbouring states.

Another senior official of the UT's engineering wing said the Matka roundabout will be flattened to facilitate free flowing traffic by incorporating it in Jan Marg.

are any tenders being floated on this metro? the website of chandigarh metro seems hacked and not updated

CHANDIGARH: Ministry of urban development will soon take a call on the Metro Rail project for Chandigarh region as it has called a meeting of the three stakeholders UT, Punjab and Haryana this week.

Though both UT and Punjab are ready to pool in their share of funds for the project, grant from the planning commission are crucial if Metro has to see the light of the day. There have been concerns about financial viability of the project given the relatively small area and around 10 lakh population of Chandigarh.

When the issue was last discussed in a meeting of the planning commission, UT administration had argued that there is a large floating population from the adjoining cities of Punjab and Haryana, which leads to clogging of the main arteries.

Sources said ministry has indicated to UT that it should work out funding for Metro well in advance without expecting the Centre to foot the entire bill.

CHANDIGARH: The elevated corridor of the Metro Rail will have elaborate landscaping to check encroachments around the structures and architectural controls to ensure that it gels with the overall look of the city. The Metro system will be underground in the core area of Chandigarh and will run on the surface when the two corridors run into Panchkula and Mohali.

According to the details of the Metro system prepared by the UT urban planning department, special care will be taken to ensure there is no deviation from set architectural controls at the entry to the city so that the overhead system and Metro stations do not turn into eyesores. Sketches made by the UT show how the Metro corridors will appear.

"The size and design of columns, structures, escalators and the station are being thoroughly examined," said an official. Most of the east west corridor will move in a straight line along Madhya Marg before curving around the Botanical Garden to reach Mullanpur. The north-south corridor will also reach Sector 22 in a straight line and lean towards the left to run across Sector 17 before turning straight again.

A total of 50 metro stations separated by a distance of one kilometre will be constructed. To begin with, the metro will have a frequency of 10 minutes, which will be reduced to 3 minutes later. The Bus Rapid Transit System and the Commuter Rail System, which have been integrated with the metro rail, will cover 190.5 km and 190 km respectively. The Bus Rapid Transit System provides buses to ferry passengers to the nearest metro station.

UT ill-equipped to measure structures on Metro Rail route

The survey of the UT engineering department to identify residential and institutional structures falling in the proposed Metro Rail route and which required to be demolished, has nosedived even before takeoff, in want of equipment required for the work. According to sources, a team of officials was formed and assigned the said work, but it flatly refused to carry out the survey for taking the said measurements with gadgets such as measuring tape and demanded that they needed electrical tools for correct measurements.
The responsibility of carrying out the survey was given to a team headed by a sub-divisional engineer. In the first week of March, the team was directed to complete the survey and submit details after physical inspection of the same in a prescribed time frame of one-week.

The officials are now planning to take assistance of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for carrying out the survey.

UT chief engineer SK Chadha was not available for comments despite repeated attempts.

The authorities had decided to conduct the survey after the completion of physical demarcation of the Metro Rail route. The administration undertook the task after receiving several representations from the residents of different sectors expressing apprehension about acquisition of their residential/ commercial areas.

According to the detailed project report (DPR), around 70 families in the tricity would be affected due to the construction of Metro Rail. Wooden pegs were installed on both lines that the Metro Rail would take.

The process of demarcation is yet to start in Panchkula and SAS Nagar.

The DMRC officials are yet to inspect the demarcation done. According to officials, the survey will help the authorities in ascertaining the exact number of buildings which need to be demolished.

The total length of Metro project covering Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar is 37.57km and estimated cost of the project is Rs. 10,900 crore. The cost of the project will be shared among the Centre, Chandigarh administration and governments of Punjab and Haryana.

The first phase is expected to be operational by 2018 with construction starting in 2013. In the first phase, rail network of over 23km will be elevated while over 14km will be underground.

The corridor 1 measuring 12.497km would stretch from Capitol Complex building to Gurdwara Singh Saheed, while the second corridor of 5.076km would stretch from transport terminus to the grain market in Sector 26. The corridor 3 and 4 covers a distance of approximately 14.6km and 5km, respectively. The project will be completed in two phases.

Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/UT-ill-equipped-to-measure-structures-on-Metro-Rail-route/SP-Article1-1039184.aspx)

Things seems to be moving forward :cheers:

Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/UT-ill-equipped-to-measure-structures-on-Metro-Rail-route/SP-Article1-1039184.aspx)

Things seems to be moving forward :cheers:


They should have started work at least 4-5 years ago, in 2007. By now metro would have come up.

Is this proje t as good.as dead.any1 has any idea.btwn there is a website for Chandigarh metro.is it official?

MUD yet to give green signal to Metro project

Almost five months have passed since the UT Administration submitted the detailed project report (DPR) for the Metro Rail to the Ministry of Urban Development (MUD) for its appraisal, yet a green signal from the MUD is still awaited.
The ministry had filed some queries in February, which the UT has replied to.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the officials of Punjab and Haryana as well as Chandigarh, scheduled to be held in Delhi to discuss the issue has been postponed several times.

However, the project will still not start after the nod as atleast one year will be needed to prepare the ground for the project, which includes shifting underground wires, streetlights and other underground amenities. The Metro is proposed to be underground within sectoral grid of Chandigarh.

The calculations on the basis of which DPR has been prepared including number of passengers and vehicular traffic are based on the premise that the first phase of the Metro will become operational by 2018.

UT Finance Secretary V K Singh sais, "The MUD is appraising the report. The meeting with officials of Punjab and Haryana is expected to take place soon. Following the meetin, future course of action be decided."

In the first phase two corridors of Metro have been proposed. The North-South corridor would extend from Capitol Complex to Gurdwara Shaheeda, while the East-West corridor would be from Transport Area in Mohali to Grain Market in Panchkula.

Five months and counting

The detailed project report (DPR) for the city's metro was prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and submitted to UT Administration in August, 2012. As per the DPR, the first phase of the Metro is proposed to be completed by April 2018, if construction started in April this year.

Demarcation completed

The Engineering Department of the UT Administration has completed the process of physical demarcation of the Metro route and preparation of the layout plans. Officials state that these would be authenticated by DMRC officials. As per the DPR, 79 families are likely to be affected due to the Metro.

Indian Express (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mud-yet-to-give-green-signal-to-metro-project/1107292/0)

Metro project may give Matka Chowk a new look

TOI: 01-MAY-2013 (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-01/chandigarh/38956660_1_delhi-metro-rail-corporation-underground-metro-station-world-heritage-status)
As part of the Metro rail project, the UT has worked out the new look for Matka Chowk, which will have a walled structure with green edges to gel with the "Ceremonial Boulevard" of Jan Marg. It will be located atop the proposed inter-change station between the north-south and east-west corridors of the underground Metro system.

After analyzing the design recommended by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation ( DMRC), the UT urban planning department will seek approval of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee in view of the heritage status accorded to the main artery of the city.

As far as the plan goes, four entries have been proposed to the three-level structure of the underground Metro station. Skylights for the central vestibule and concourse and entrance canopies will be sensitively designed to blend with Chandigarh's architectural style, UT insists in its comments on the new design.
As many as 30 Metro stations separated by a distance of one kilometre will be constructed. To begin with, the Metro will have a frequency of 10 minutes, which will be reduced to three minutes with the passage of time.

The UT plans to showcase the picturesque Jan Marg in its UNESCO nomination to seek world heritage status next year. The Jan Marg runs from Matka Chowk to the secretariat. It has a view of the Shivalik Hills to the north and blooming bougainvillea lining the median.

While the east-west corridor will connect Chandigarh to Panchkula, the north-south one will run into Mohali. A total of 20 patches of private land, with houses, shops and kiosks, will be acquired for the Metro Rail project in sectors 22, 34 and 43. The list of Project Affected People (PAP) includes 79 families, which will have to displaced and rehabilitated elsewhere by the administration.

Haryana to partner with UT in Metro rail project

In a significant move, the Haryana government has decided to partner with Chandigarh in the ambitious Metro rail project.

The total length of the project covering Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar is 37.57km with an estimated cost of R10,900 crore, which would be shared between the Centre, UT administration and governments of Punjab and Haryana.

However, a senior official of Haryana urban development department has said that Haryana government plans to invest around R650 crore in the project in the form of equity. "The profit and loss will be shared between Chandigarh and Haryana," the official said.

Unlike Haryana, Punjab government would only bear the cost of the project falling in its jurisdiction. The Punjab cabinet has already approved the link between SAS Nagar and Chandigarh. The UT on the other hand plans to take a loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency, which also provided the loan for the Delhi Metro project.

The final decision on the move of Haryana government would be taken in the coordination committee meeting of Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana with the ministry of urban development (MUD) in New Delhi on May 26.

Last year, the administration had submitted the detailed project report to the MUD for approval, which is still pending.

Project at a glance

The Metro rail project is expected to change how commuters travel in the tricity region. Covering a distance of 12.49 kilometres, the first corridor of Metro rail will stretch from Chandigarh's Capitol Complex to SAS Nagar's Sector 70, of this, 4.97 km will fall in SAS Nagar.

The project's second corridor will start from Mullanpur and end at the grain market in Panchkula's Sector 20 - its length will be 25.7 km. The first corridor is expected to be operational by 2018. Here is how the project is expected to benefit tricity residents:

Once operational, the first corridor is expected to provide benefits of more than R11,000 crore by 2026.

As per the detailed project report (DPR), the Metro will lead to savings on components such as fuel spent on personal vehicles, vehicle operating cost (VOC), their environmental impact, vehicles' accident cost, maintenance cost of traffic infrastructure and cost of time spent by residents in driving their personal vehicles.

Passengers are expected to save R1,054 crore on fuel and R1,282 on operating cost of vehicle such as bus, two-wheeler, car and three-wheeler.

Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/Haryana-to-partner-with-UT-in-Metro-rail-project/SP-Article1-1056653.aspx)

Does Chandigarh have the volumes to sustain a profitable metro system? They should rather focus on building flyovers and better bus network.

Tricity metro dream rides on headcount rider

The city appears to have done its math to overcome a key rider to keep its dreams of riding the Metro alive, but it's the regional approach regarding passengers that will enable it to cross the bridge.

As Chandigarh's headcount of 10.5 lakh disqualifies it for the tube, the administration plans to project population of 20 lakh, the minimum number the central government has mandated for the Metro rail project of the entire Chandigarh Capital Region included in the mass rapid transit system. The proposal will be discussed at a meeting scheduled for May 21 in New Delhi. The minimum requirement earlier was a population of 40 lakh.

The project, however, can easily be termed viable if a regional approach is taken with heavy inflow of passengers from the city's adjoining areas. The financial viability of Metro rail project would depend on attracting a sizeable number of passengers from nearby towns of Punjab and Haryana. Presently, over four lakh vehicles drive into the city from Panchkula and Mohali, and the tube is expected to take much of this load off the road network. Along with projections of Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic (PHPDT), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), in its detailed project report, has calculated the number of passengers likely to take the Metro. PHPDT is the number of passengers passing a specific point along a transit line in unit time.

For corridor I, which is planned from Capitol Complex to Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan in Sector 70 of Mohali, if 1.1 lakh passengers from Chandigarh will travel by Metro, 53,309 will be from different parts of Punjab on the city's periphery. It will have projected PHPDT of 7,007. Similarly, for corridor II, which is planned from Grain Market near Sector 21 of Panchkula to transport terminal, around 1.7 lakh passenger trips per day are expected with 1.1 lakh passengers from Chandigarh, 14,645 from Punjab and 40,804 passengers from Haryana.

Times of India (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-16/chandigarh/39309368_1_delhi-metro-rail-corporation-1-1-lakh-passengers-40-lakh)

Haryana's plan to partner with UT may be decided tomorrow

Haryana's plan to partner with UT administration in the ambitious Metro rail project is likely to be decided in a meeting of the project's coordination committee in New Delhi on Monday.

UT administration, Punjab, Haryana and the union ministry of urban development (MUD) will take part in the meeting to discuss the project that is expected to cost Rs. 10,900 crore.

The Metro, once completed, will cover a distance of 35.75 kilometres and be a mode of rapid public transport for Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar. The government of Punjab and Haryana and UT administration will jointly bear the expenses of the project.

Haryana has expressed its intention of becoming a partner with Chandigarh in the project. Punjab government would just bear the cost of the project falling in its jurisdiction. The Punjab cabinet has already approved the link between SAS Nagar and Chandigarh. Chandigarh plans to take a loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency, which also gave the loan for the Delhi Metro project.

Last year, the administration had submitted a detailed project report to the MUD for approval, which is still pending. The ministry is likely to give a nod after deliberation on all issues related to the project.

While corridor 1 of the project, measuring 12.49 km, will stretch from Capitol Complex in Sector 1 of Chandigarh to Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan in Sector 70 of SAS Nagar, the second corridor would stretch from Mullanpur in SAS Nagar district to Grain Market in Sector 20 of Panchkula. UT adviser KK Sharma and UT finance secretary VK Singh will represent Chandigarh in the meeting.

Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/Metro-rail-project-Haryana-s-plan-to-partner-with-UT-may-be-decided-tomorrow/SP-Article1-1063071.aspx)

13 of 30 Metro stations hit a wall

The ambitious Metro rail project may soon see changes in the locations of the metro stations, as 13 of the proposed stations fall too close to educational, commercial and residential buildings.

The list of these structures falling in the proposed Metro Rail route was compiled by the UT engineering department, which completed a survey in this regard last week and submitted the report to higher officials on May 21. As per the detailed project report (DPR), a total of 30 stations have been proposed on the entire metro route.

On the north-south corridor, seven structures, which fall near the proposed metro stations, have been identified. These are Shiv Mandir on Vidya Path, Government College for Girls, Sector 11; Government Home Science College, Sector 10; Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sector 16.

On the east-west corridor, the proposed Metro stations are near Hotel Taj, Aroma roundabout and a residential area in Sector 22. Similarly, The All-India Radio station campus in Sector 34 and residential areas in sectors 34 and 44D also fall near proposed metro stations. The next course of action would be decided after a meeting of senior officials. A source said the UT administration department will write to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for making minor changes in the location of the stations falling close to the buildings.

Despite repeated attempt, UT finance secretary was not available for comment.

The authorities had decided to conduct the survey after the completion of physical demarcation of the Metro rail route and receiving several representations from residents of different sectors, expressing apprehension about acquisition of their residential or commercial properties.

The detailed project report (DPR) says that nearly 70 families in the tricity would be affected due to the construction of the Metro rail. Wooden pegs were installed on both lines that the Metro Rail would take.

UT fine with Haryana's decision on investing in equity

The UT administration is fine with the decision of Haryana government to partner with Chandigarh in the Metro rail project. Senior officials said the administration had no problem, but the final decision would be taken after consulting Punjab. The total length of the project covering Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar is 37.57km with an estimated cost of Rs. 10,900 crore, which would be shared between the Centre, UT administration and governments of Punjab and Haryana.

Proposed Metro stations 30
Proposed stations to be shifted 13

Some of the structures near the proposed stations
Hotel Taj, AIR campus in Sector 34, residential areas in sectors 22, 34 and 44, Government College for Girls, Sector 11; Government Home Science College, Sector 10; Institution of Engineers (India), Sector 18

Source (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/Now-changes-likely-in-Metro-project/SP-Article1-1067527.aspx)


Agreement for Metro between Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh to be finalised

A formal agreement between the states of Punjab and Haryana as well as Chandigarh over the modalities of the Metro Rail will now be initiated.
The UT Administration is writing to the Punjab and Haryana governments seeking their consent for the preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding.

A discussion about the need to have a formal agreement took place during a meeting held recently at Delhi with the officials of the Ministry of Urban Development, where, apart from Chandigarh, representatives of Punjab and Haryana were also present.

The modalities of sharing of the cost of construction will be formalised. Of the total route length of Metro Rail which is 37.57 kilometres, a substantial part of 23.36 kilometres is in Chandigarh. Of the remaining, 7.81 kilometres is in Haryana and 6.41 kilometres in Punjab. In Chandigarh within the sectoral grid, the Metro will be underground, while outside it will be elevated. The total cost of the project is Rs 10,900 crore.

UT Adviser K K Sharma says that the Administration is taking the initiative and writing to Punjab and Haryana asking for the modalities to be finalised. "A meeting will be held in the coming days between the representatives of the states and the officials of the Administration," he said.

Apart from finalising the modalities, the Administration also has to initiate the process of setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). This is expected to be set up at an initial investment of Rs 50 crore.

The SPV will comprise of officials who will deal with the financial and technical expertise of the project, among other things. These experts will be expected to justify the requirement of Metro Rail at different platforms.

It has been several months since the Detailed Project Report of the Metro Rail was prepared.

As per the DPR, of the investment of Rs 10,900 crore, Rs 8,245 crore will be given by Chandigarh, Rs 1,427 crore by Haryana and Rs 1,228 crore by Punjab. The model for cost sharing will be worked out.

Source (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/agreement-for-metro-between-punjab-haryana-chandigarh-to-be-finalised/1123431/0)

Metro SPV is now Chandigarh Tricity Multi-Modal Transport Corporation

The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Metro Rail will be named as the Chandigarh Tricity Multi-Modal Transport Corporation (CTMTC) and will be formed as a company. The exact equity structure, however, will be decided in the coming days.
The decisions were taken in a meeting attended by officials of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Friday that was held to discuss modalities of the Metro Rail project. While discussions have been going on for the past several months, the two states and Chandigarh are yet to reach a formal agreement on terms and conditions.

The meeting, held under the chairmanship of the Advisor to the Administrator K K Sharma, saw officials give their opinion on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed jointly by the Ministry of Urban Development, Chandigarh and the governments of Haryana and Punjab for the Mass Transit Project.

The Ministry of Urban Development, in a meeting held recently in Delhi, had directed all stakeholders of the project to form the SPV; a consensus for which was reached on Friday. The SPV will have experts from different fields who would take the Metro's cause forward at different platforms and will act as a focal point for all further action.

After the modalities have been formally agreed by the three governments, the UT Administration will then write to the Urban Development Ministry seeking the Centre's approval. The Adviser apprised the participants that as per discussions held with the senior officials of the Ministry of Urban Development, the Ministry is awaiting the formal acceptance of the proposed MoU by the three governments to process the matter further.

A report, prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and submitted to the Administration several months back, envisages two corridors for the Metro project: the East-West corridor that will extend from Grain Market in Sector 21, Panchkula, to the Transport Terminus at Mullanpur and the North-South corridor that will run from near Capitol Complex in Sector 1 to Gurdwara Shaheedan in Mohali.

The total length of the Rs 10,900 crore project is 37.57 kilometre of which the maximum is in Chandigarh. Within the sectoral grid of the city, the Metro is proposed to be underground, while in the other areas it will be elevated.

On behalf of the Punjab government, the Secretary (Urban Planning) A Venu Prasad and Chief Administrator (GMADA) Ajoy Kumar Sinha attended the meeting while T C Gupta, Financial Commissioner (Urban Planning) and Anurag Rastogi, Director, General Town and Country Planning, represented the Haryana government.

Indian Express (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/metro-spv-is-now-chandigarh-tricity-multimodal-transport-corporation/1126515/0)