The agenda of the meeting was to discuss the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) report that proposed a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) spread across Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. The comprehensive mobility plan for the tricity area was given in-principle approval during a meeting of representatives of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh governments Thursday, paving the way for a metro rail project. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar represented Haryana while minister Anmol Gagan Maan represented Punjab. Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit chaired the meeting at the Union territory secretariat in Sector 9. UT Adviser Dharam Pal also attended it. The agenda of the meeting was to discuss the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) report that proposed a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) spread across Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. The report outlined a mobility plan to decongest traffic in the region. The RITES report suggested that the first phase of the Metro system would consist of three corridors in Chandigarh. Of the total 39.2 km proposed, 16 km may be underground, while the remaining elevated. Dharam Pal stated that the proposed Metro would be built in non-heritage sectors, and the Administration was comfortable with the idea. Punjab and Haryana were brought into the discussion as the proposed Metro would also pass through their respective districts of Mohali and Panchkula. During the meeting, alternate routes for the Metro project were suggested by stakeholders for seamless traffic management in the tricity, such as Housing Board Chowk to Panjab University and PGIMER and Chandigarh airport.
