Chandigarh Chief Secy pushes for Metro report

Chandigarh Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad has outlined plans to enhance housing options and to expedite the detailed project report (DPR) for Metro in Chandigarh.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Prasad said work was underway to prepare the Metro DPR. In the absence of the report, it would be difficult to assess the project’s feasibility. All aspects could be examined only after the DPR was ready, he said, instructing the officials concerned to expedite the report. He said cost considerations and expected ridership would be critical factors in evaluating the project.

Progress of the Metro plan has slowed down over the past one and a half years. Former Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit and then UT Adviser Dharam Pal had actively pushed the project, but a series of recent administrative changes affected its progress. Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had also suggested exploring alternative options such as a pod taxi network. Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari recently met Khattar, emphasising that the project will progress only under his personal supervision.

Prasad also stated that the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) had been directed to plan new projects on land available, promising more options for residents in the near future. He also assured that recruitment rules would be finalised soon to allow fresh appointments in various departments.

Prasad said the delegation of financial powers would not delay the ongoing or future projects. He confirmed that discussions with senior officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs had ensured that no projects would remain pending, even with the delegation of financial powers.

Addressing traffic and parking concerns, the Chief Secretary directed the Municipal Corporation to develop plans for improved parking arrangements.

Prasad said he had reviewed the ongoing projects across departments and noted that Chandigarh was performing well on many fronts, but certain challenges required urgent attention.