The Chandigarh unit of the Congress party has launched a sharp critique against UT Administrator and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The party strongly disapproves of his recent statement rejecting the proposed Metro Mass Rapid Transport System for Chandigarh and its adjoining areas, dismissing the given reasons as "trivial".
Congress Accuses Administration of Failing Residents
Accusing the administration of letting down the city's residents once again, the Congress highlighted that multiple expert reports have endorsed the Metro as the essential solution. The party pointed to studies conducted by the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), which identified a Metro network as the only sustainable answer to the region's escalating traffic woes.
A History of Delays and Revivals
The Congress detailed the long and troubled history of the Metro proposal. RITES first recommended a 52-64 km Metro network back in 2009. However, this plan was arbitrarily scrapped during 2014-15 by the then Member of Parliament, Kirron Kher, on what the party calls flimsy grounds.
The project saw a revival after RITES conducted a fresh feasibility study in November 2022. This updated study recommended an expanded 64.5 km network for the Tricity area. Further reinforcing the need, an Alternatives Analysis Report (AAR) in April 2024 concluded that a two-coach Metro system was the most viable and efficient option.
Funding Pursuit Derailed by Administrator's Stance
The party revealed that city MP Manish Tewari had been aggressively pursuing the project with the central government. He had sought a substantial allocation of Rs 25,000 crore to kick-start the crucial infrastructure work. According to the Congress, the UT administrator's opposing stance has now "derailed the ambitious plan once again," pushing the city back to square one.
Warning of a Looming Environmental Crisis
Expressing deep concern over the worsening traffic congestion, the Congress issued a stark warning. The party stated that the current gridlock is leading to significant time loss, higher fuel costs for commuters, and dangerously rising pollution levels. They cautioned that without immediate corrective steps, Chandigarh risks turning into "a gas chamber like Delhi," highlighting the severe public health and environmental consequences of inaction.
