Progress Update on Tri-City MRTS Phase-I: Insights from RITES Ltd.

Progress Update on Tri-City MRTS Phase-I: Insights from RITES Ltd.

December 2023 marked a pivotal milestone for the Tri-City Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) as RITES Ltd. submitted a crucial Traffic & System Selection Report. This report lays the groundwork for an innovative urban transit network connecting Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali.

Reimagining Urban Connectivity

RITES Ltd. presented a comprehensive overview of the potential MRTS Phase-I Network in their latest meeting. The key areas of focus included:

– Study Progress: Highlighting the methodological rigor and milestones achieved to date.
– Demographics: Delving into the study area, RITES Ltd. assessed the population dynamics critical for shaping the transit needs.
– Primary Surveys and Data Modeling: Outlining the collection of first-hand travel data and the sophisticated modeling techniques employed to predict travel patterns.
– Network Proposition: An exciting reveal of the proposed Phase-I MRTS Network, meticulously crafted to meet the region’s transit demands.
– Ridership Forecasts: Offering projections of peak hour per direction traffic (PHPDT) and total daily ridership, these estimates serve as a testament to the project’s viability.
– Policy Interactions: Round-table discussions and decisions stemming from consultations with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) were addressed.
– System Selection: Unveiling the recommended system parameters that promise to optimize performance and user experience.
– Strategic Depot Locations: Discussion on the strategic placement of maintenance depots crucial for operational efficiency.

Strategic Alterations and Consensus

A key highlight included the presentation of a modified alignment near the Railway Station, enhancing Metro Corridor-1 and introducing a direct link between Zirakpur and Panchkula via Metro Corridor-2. These adjustments received in-principle agreement from all stakeholders, awaiting formal confirmation in the forthcoming UMTA meeting.

Meticulous Urban & Heritage Planning

Compliance with heritage preservation is paramount. As mandated by MOHUA, the Urban Planning Department of Chandigarh is set to present relevant heritage legislation, ensuring that the planned elevated structures harmonize with the city’s aesthetic.

A Shift Towards a Two-Coach Metro System

The Ministry’s meeting on January 15, 2024, fostered a unanimous endorsement for a two-coach Metro over the previously considered Metrolite system, signalling a significant step in the system’s evolution.

Depot Land Deliberations

With a 21-hectare land parcel in New Chandigarh under consideration for the Metro Depot, Punjab officials confirmed its extrication from the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLP), promising to reassess its availability for the project. An alternative parcel is to be identified swiftly, ensuring that RITES can move forward without delay.

This update underscores a collaborative effort between multiple stakeholders to shape a transit solution that serves the needs of the growing Tri-City region.