Chandigarh Metro | Proposed

[ir desi]

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.

[niknak]

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

[ir desi]

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

[vidya]

Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link on track ...... Read More

[phaedrus]

please post news only related to the metro rail here.
all other railways related news can be posted here

[GJ10]

Originally Posted by ir desi

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...

[India101]

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

[Ashis Mitra]

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?

[India101]

Originally Posted by niknak

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.

[niknak]

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...if they're having trouble financing one metro corridor in Mumbai (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.

[kronik]

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

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

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.

[Euromast]

[TarHeel]

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 ?

[sbajwa]

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

[Ashis Mitra]

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

[sidney_jec]

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..

[Euromast]

[jjain]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/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.

[Abhishek901]

Originally Posted by sbajwa

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.

[scorpiogenius]

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...