Punjab gives Rs 1.37 crore as its share in making DPR for Metro

The Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) has prepared the comprehensive mobility plan for the Tricity area for which a Metro has already been approved.

The three governments have agreed to assign RITES agency to make the DPR and AAR for the project. (Representational/ File)

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The Punjab government on Friday gave Rs 1.37 crore as its share in making the detailed project report for the Metro for the Tricity.

While speaking to The Indian Express, a senior officer of the Chandigarh Administration said, “The Punjab government submitted its contribution of share of Rs 1.37 crore today. We are hoping that Haryana too would be submitting soon. This will help us in getting the DPR made soon and meet our deadlines to combat the traffic problem.”

In July, the Chandigarh Administration had decided that it would take on board all the stakeholders — Haryana and Punjab — in preparation of the alternative analysis report (AAR) and a detailed project report (DPR) for Metro Rail as per the guidelines of the Government of India.

The Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) has prepared a comprehensive mobility plan for the Tricity area for which a Metro has already been approved.

According to the RITES, the DPR preparation would cost Rs 6.54 crore. The DPR is expected to be ready by March 2024 and then further approvals would be taken.

As far as the funding of the entire Metro is concerned, it was decided that 20 per cent of it would be paid by the states, 20 per cent by the Centre and the remaining 60 per cent by the lending agency. The tentative cost of Metro project is around Rs 10,570 crore.

The RITES has already presented the guidelines, procedure, policies for planning the mass rapid transit system (MRTS) in line with the Metro Rail Policy that have been issued by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) before Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

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After discussions, it was stated that UT officials felt that AAR & DPR is required to be prepared as per the guidelines of the Government of India, which after approval of UMTA/state government will be submitted to the Government of India for their approval and that Punjab and Haryana be taken on board.

The DPR that would be prepared for approval of the project by the Government of India would include cost estimates, financials, design, institutional arrangement, planning and implementation plan for the best recommended MRTS mode.

Once the AAR and DPR is prepared, it is then that all three reports, including the CMP, would be sent to the ministry for their go-ahead. The Centre will then take a call on whether the particular project suits the city and the financial viability of the same. If financially viable, they will see which model of funding to fit it in, officials said.

Revised Metro plan

About 77 kilometres of Metro network would be made in Phase-I for the Tricity. The three governments have agreed to assign RITES agency to make the DPR and AAR for the project. Most of it would be overground, the final decision of which would be taken during the preparation of the DPR.

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As per the new plan, of the 77 km stretch, Chandigarh would comprise 35 kilometres, Panchkula would have 11 km stretch and Mohali/New Chandigarh would have 31 kms. The first phase will be developed from 2027 to 2037. Earlier, a distance of 66 kilometres was to be covered in phase -I which now stands revised.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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