Chandigarh metro on shaky rails, minister hints at pod taxis instead

This improvement comes arsenic a astonishment to residents who, for the past 2 years, had been anticipating that the Metro task had received the greenish airy and that operation mightiness statesman soon.

“We’re assessing the viability of the Metro. For viability, ridership has to beryllium considered. In Chandigarh, the ridership doesn’t conscionable the required criteria for a Metro. However, we are evaluating aggregate aspects. Several points were discussed today, and we’re moving connected solutions to the caller issues raised during the meeting,” Khattar said.

The Union Minister besides highlighted the precocious costs associated with a Metro system.

“RITES conducted the study, examining each factors. The situation is that portion we whitethorn negociate the archetypal superior expenditure, idiosyncratic volition request to screen the operational costs. We can’t enforce precocious tariffs connected Chandigarh’s residents, truthful assorted aspects request thorough analysis. Detailed discussions are ongoing,” said Khattar.

He noted that alternatives, similar a Pod taxi utilizing mono-pillar technology, are being considered. This strategy could accommodate 8 to 10 radical per trip.

“One proposition nether information is simply a Pod taxi, which runs connected 2 pillars and tin adjacent run connected roadworthy dividers. This would sphere the city’s practice and debar the disruption Metro operation mightiness cause,” Khattar added.