French consultant dumps Metro, suggests running trams in city

CHANDIGARH:While the detailed project report (DPR) submitted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) six years ago suggested a Metro for the city, it has found no place in the report of Systra MVA Consulting (India) Private Limited, the French consultant engaged by the UT Administration to decide on the future modes of transport after surveying the traffic volume on the city roads.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 21

While the detailed project report (DPR) submitted by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) six years ago suggested a Metro for the city, it has found no place in the report of Systra MVA Consulting (India) Private Limited, the French consultant engaged by the UT Administration to decide on the future modes of transport after surveying the traffic volume on the city roads.

The French consultant submitted its interim report on the comprehensive mobility plan of the city to the UT Administration recently. Sources said as per the report, tram was preferable mode of transport in the city instead of Metro.

While identifying the three main corridors connecting the tricity, the report says that a Metro is recommended for a corridor when its busiest section has a PPHPD (passengers per hour per direction) of 20,000. But the PPHPD is much less on the three corridors identified by the French consultant. It will not reach the required level even till 2031.

After carrying out a detailed study of the volume of traffic on the different routes, the report suggested three main corridors. The report suggests a combination of light rail transit (LRT), bus rapid transit system (BRTS), modern tram and monorail as the possible modes of transport along these three corridors.

Corridor 1 has been identified from Mullanpur to Panchkula. It passes through Madhya Marg, Chandigarh-Panchkula road, Golf Course in Sector 3, Panchkula, and will end in Sector 24, Panchkula. The PPHPD on this corridor is 7,900.

Corridor 2 will start from Sector 60, Mohali, in the southwest of Chandigarh and reach the Capitol Complex in Sector 1 via Jan Marg. The PPHPD on the corridor is 6,300.

Corridor 3 will run from Sector 25 in the northwest of Chandigarh to Zirakpur. It will cover Dakshin Marg, Industrial Area, Phase II, and airport area. The PPHPD on the corridor is recorded at 4,300.

The report suggests tram, BRTS, LRT and monorail for Corridor 1; tram, BRTS and monorail for Corridor 2; and bus with high-level of service (BHLS), cable car, tram, BRTS or monorail for Corridor 3.

The consultant will discuss the report with UT officials in May before finalising the modes of transport for the city.

Trams suit city’s character, says report

While considering the modes of transport in view of their visual impact, the report finds trams as best suited for a heritage city like the Chandigarh. The report says the aesthetical and technical aspects are equally important. These aspects are thus taken into account while designing a tram system. All users are taken into consideration in this new way of sharing of the common space, which is particularly adapted to the city as a way not only to protect the existing architectural and landscape heritage but also as a way to beautify these.

On the BRTS, the report says wide infrastructure is required that can contribute to dividing the city as pedestrians will not able to cross the BRT right away except via elevated or underground walkway. The LRT system has a stronger visual impact than tram system. The infrastructure it requires may spoil perspective or hide heritage buildings. Particular attention will have to be drawn to this issue when designing the system, if this mode was to be opted.

Major redevelopment proposed

The French firm also suggested redevelopment of space in Sector 17 along Jan Marg. It suggested conversion of cinema halls into multiplexes. It has been proposed to redesign the Sub City Centre in Sector 34 and complete the project of Nehru Centre for the Performing Arts. Open planning rather than gated communities and interesting skyline of undulating building blocks have been proposed in the report. Transit-oriented development zones have been identified along the 7.2-km-long Vikas Marg. The undeveloped Sub City Centre and the Leisure Valley-42 have been proposed to be developed as the green corridors.