After several months of delays due to land use-related issues that have plagued the Chandigarh Tricity metro project a ray of hope has emerged at the end of the tunnel with the Punjab government allocating 50 acres at New Chandigarh for an essential depot.
The depot will serve as the central hub for the maintenance and inspection of metro trains. Its construction is essential for the successful execution of the first phase of the Chandigarh Metro project.
The Punjab government has given consent to offer the land, and only awaits clearance by the forest department to give the acknowledgement order. This area in question should not be covered by the PLPA outlying forests.
“We have no issue in releasing 50 acres for the depot’s construction,” a senior Punjab government official stated. “Currently, we’re verifying with the forest department to ensure the land is indeed a de-listed area. Once we receive clearance, the UT administration will be notified.”
Before this agreement, the Alternative Analysis Report (AAR) prepared by Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) had proposed two depots – one in New Chandigarh and another in Zirakpur. However, the Punjab government declined to provide land in Zirakpur. To address this, an alternative depot location in Sector 27, Panchkula, has been approved by the Haryana government.
In two phases, the Chandigarh Metro project is envisaged. The first phase, which is intended to run from 2017 to 2034, will consist of three main routes. These routes will link Sultanpur, New Chandigarh, with Sector 28, Panchkula; (Mohali ISBT via Sukhna Lake)-(Chandigarh Airport and Zirakpur ISBT; and Grain Market Chowk to Transport Chowk).
Phase 2, planned for development after 2034, proposes a 25 km line stretching from Airport Chowk to Manakpur Kallar and ISBT Zirakpur to Pinjore. The majority of the network will be elevated.
The recent approval by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to run metro lines underground in Chandigarh’s heritage zones (Sectors 1 to 30) will lead to a project cost increase of ₹8,000 crore, bringing the total to nearly ₹19,000 crore.
The allocation of land by the Punjab government marks a significant step forward for the Chandigarh Metro project. With the key hurdle of the depot addressed and forest department clearance anticipated, the project inches closer to its commencement.
