Union territory, Chandigarh will get metro rail facility under the proposed Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) project. The project has been planned to ease traffic problems and provide better transport facilities to the commuters of cities like Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. According to an official statement, apart from metro rail the proposed MTRS project will include Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and Commuters Rail Service (CRS).

 

The project will be initiated by Chandigarh in association with the state governments of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. As per a spokesperson of the administration, the mega project will need an investment of Rs.150 billion and will be completed in four years. On Friday (June 12), the senior officials of Chandigarh held a meeting in this regard with Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES). Chandigarh's finance secretary, Sanjay Kumar headed the meeting.

 

Earlier on Thursday, RITES  presented a draft of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) which covers the aspects of metro routes, BRTS corridors, parking space and cost and revenue modes for the entire project. According to the reports of RITES, metro rail will cover a distance of 52.4 km, out of which 40.4 km would be in Chandigarh and the remaining 12 km will be in Mohali.