Decks cleared for Metro project
The Metro project received a major boost with both Punjab and Haryana giving their consent for the project.
The development is significant as the Union ministry of urban development had sent back the revised detailed project report (DPR) of the Chandigarh Metro Project to the UT administration in November last year. The administration was directed to take consent of its partners — Punjab and Haryana —before submitting the revised project for consideration.
The new clause by the Centre had delayed the formation of the Greater Chandigarh Transport Corporation (GCTC), which will start the work on the project.
Confirming the development, UT finance secretary Sarvjit Singh said: “We have got a nod from Punjab and Haryana and will forward it to the Centre for the formation of the GCTC.”
UT administrator Kaptan Singh Solanki said: “Metro is not the only solution for traffic congestion but it is the identity of any growing city. Metro is an affordable and quick solution for the city residents to commute easily.”
He added: “Now, there is no hitch as we have got consent from Punjab and Haryana for the project. Even the city MP Kirron Kher had given her nod for the project.”
The Union ministry of urban development has also asked the UT administration to change the name of the project, which is known as the Chandigarh Metro Rail Project. The total length of the project covering Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula is 37.57 km. The major portion of the two corridors falls in Chandigarh.