Chandigarh, November 15: Eleven years after spending crores of rupees on a study and a survey, the fate of the much-hyped Metro project has been sealed with the Home Minister’s Advisory Committee deciding that the project is not commercially viable for the city.
Sources said in the minutes of a meeting of the committee held on July 27 in Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was attended by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Bandore and other members, it was mentioned that the matter had been deliberated upon at length and it was decided that the Metro project for Chandigarh was not commercially viable.
It has been further stated in the minutes that two studies indicated that the Metro rail was not a feasible proposal for the city. The sources said there was a detailed discussion on the Metro and a difference of opinion emerged between Sanjay Tandon, city BJP president, and Kirron Kher, Member of Parliament, at the meeting over the issue. While Tandon supported the Metro, Kher termed the project unviable.
Kher said the project was not required as residents would not benefit much from the Metro. She stressed the need for improving other modes of transport. On the other hand, Tandon said the city would have to take a decision keeping in mind the traffic congestion that would increase on roads in the next 20 years.
News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
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