RITES PRESENTS INCEPTION REPORT ON MRTS FOR TRI-CITY
Chandigarh, 6th October 2023 – In a significant step towards enhancing regional transportation infrastructure, a pivotal meeting was convened today under the leadership of Sh. Dharam Pal, Adviser to the Administrator, Chandigarh. This gathering brought together key stakeholders from the states of Haryana and Punjab to witness the presentation of the inception report for preparation of the AAR and DPR for the Tricity, presented by RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service).
The various alternatives were also discussed with the purpose of covering the major destinations in the tri city with the quest to identify the optimal mode of public transportation for major travel corridors identified within the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP). Furthermore, RITES was asked to prepare the feasibility of different options and their cost benefit options like Metro, Metrolite, and Metro Neo systems as the most viable modes of public transport. The report comprehensively assessed several crucial aspects, including ridership, alignment, station planning, multi-modal integration, cost implications, economic viability, financial sustainability, environmental impacts, fare box and non-fare box revenue streams, disaster preparedness, cyber security, and an implementation mechanism for the Tri-City.
The corridors proposed under the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) Phase I, totaling a substantial 79.5 kilometers, were highlighted in the presentation:
1. Paroul, New Chandigarh to Panchkula Extension – 32.5 Km
2. Rock Garden to ISBT Zirakpur via ISBT
3. Mohali & Chandigarh Airport – 34 km
4. Grain Market Chowk to Transport Light/Timber Market, Sec-26 – 13 km
Notably, stakeholders from Punjab and Haryana actively contributed to the discourse by suggesting additional routes and enhancements to the existing network. The committee has approved the inception report and after these valuable insights will be thoughtfully incorporated into the revised report, will undergo further scrutiny and ultimately be presented for UMTAs approval under the chairmanship of Administrator. The RITES will submit the draft AAR by December 2023.
This remarkable milestone is a direct outcome of the unanimous approval of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan by members of UMTA (Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority). The plan paved the way for the preparation of the Alternative Analysis Report (AAR) and the Detailed Project Report for Phase I of the Mass Rapid Transit System network, covering an impressive 79.5 kilometers within the Tricity region. The inception report outlining the methodology and the data to be collected by RITES, a crucial phase of this transformative project, was presented with utmost diligence and expertise by RITES during today’s gathering.
The Chandigarh Tricity Comprehensive Mobility Plan represents a collective commitment to revolutionizing transportation in the region, ensuring enhanced connectivity, and fostering sustainable urban development.