Chandigarh Metro Project Halted Over Financial Discrepancies

Chandigarh : The much-anticipated Chandigarh Metro project has once again hit a major roadblock, with the ₹25,000 crore elevated plan being put on hold. The decision comes after serious discrepancies were found in the cost-benefit analysis of the project, raising questions about the financial viability and long-term benefits of the metro system.

The elevated metro plan, which was being promoted as a game-changer for Chandigarh’s public transport system, aimed to ease traffic congestion and reduce pollution in the tri-city region of Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali. However, a recent review conducted by government auditors and urban planning experts revealed inconsistencies in the projected costs and expected returns.

Sources in the urban development ministry confirmed that the calculations did not align with ground realities, and exaggerated benefits had been shown in the proposal. This led to the project being stalled pending further financial scrutiny and restructuring. The central and state governments had earlier given in-principle approval to the project, but with the emerging data irregularities, they have now decided to reconsider the model before moving forward.

The proposal had projected a daily ridership of over 5 lakh commuters, which experts now argue is highly inflated based on current urban population density and existing public transport usage. Additionally, concerns were raised over the high capital expenditure and operational costs, which could put a significant burden on the government budget for years to come.

Urban development authorities are now working on re-evaluating the proposal to explore alternative and more cost-effective transport solutions. These may include a combination of bus rapid transit (BRT), electric buses, and a scaled-down metro plan.

Citizens and environmental activists expressed disappointment at the delay, stressing the urgent need for modern public transportation in the region. Meanwhile, financial experts emphasized the importance of thorough planning and realistic forecasting in infrastructure projects of such magnitude.

The Chandigarh Metro project has faced multiple delays since its inception. With the latest setback, its future remains uncertain unless the revised proposal can address the financial red flags raised by experts and policy makers.