17032023-CT-01.qxd 3/17/2023 12:29 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune » KHER ON SLIPPERY SLOPE OVER ‘CHHITTAR’ REMARK INSIDE » THREE LIVES SNUFFED OUT IN MOHALI MISHAPS INSIDE FRIDAY | 17 MARCH 2023 | CHANDIGARH AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 115 PANCHKULA 114 MOHALI 102 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD INBRIEF SCOOTER-BORNE MEN SNATCH PHONE Chandigarh: Four scooterborne suspects allegedly snatched a mobile phone from a pedestrian at knifepoint near the Railway light point on Thursday morning. The victim approached a Police Control Room vehicle, which initiated a pursuit of the suspects. During the chase, the suspects met with an accident, but they fled on foot leaving the scooter behind. A knife and the snatched mobile phone were found at the scene. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter. TNS YOUTH BOOKED FOR RAPING MINOR Chandigarh: A Kishangarh resident has been booked by the Chandigarh Police for raping a minor girl. The suspect, Shubham Tiwari, allegedly raped the 17-yearold victim at a hotel in Kishangarh. A case has been registered against the youth at the IT Park police station and a probe initiated. TNS Clear Comprehensive Mobility Plan report | Final call by Centre Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 16 Paving the way for a Metro or Metrolite network for the tricity after more than a decade, the governments of Punjab and Haryana as well as the UT Administration unanimously approved the final Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) report submitted by the Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) with certain observations during a meeting held under the chairmanship of UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit here today. The report also includes high demand bus corridors, new road links, bypass, etc. After incorporating the suggestions, the report will be sent to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for final approval. An official said the CMP would include the mass rapid transit system (MRTS) and the chances of tricity getting a Metrolite are higher. The Centre had planned Metrolite for Tier-II cities and it would mostly run overground. However, a final decision would be taken by the Centre. To tackle growing traffic congestion, various proposals for MRTS were discussed at the meeting, also attended by Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Punjab Minister of Tourism Continued on page 2 UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit (2L) flanked by Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar (3L), Punjab Minister Anmol Gagan Mann and UT Adviser Dharam Pal in Chandigarh on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO VIABILITY CONCERNS DERAILED METRO IN 2017 MOBILITY PLAN COST The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had prepared a detailed project report for UT Metro in 2012. An MoU was signed between Haryana, Punjab and UT, but Home Minister’s Advisory Committee turned it down in 2017, saying it was not “commercially viable” for UT. Opposing Metro, AAP leader Prem Garg said: “It will run into losses due to low occupancy. We have wasted 15 years in planning and it will take a generation before it is operational. Mono rail is a better option.” First phase Second phase Third phase Total KHATTAR WANTS PINJORE, KALKA CONNECTED Metrolite is a light rail urban transit system being planned for cities (Tier-II) with lower ridership. It will cater to lower passenger capacity at a reduced cost than a Metro line. It will have dedicated tracks, separated from the road. RITES has proposed a 39-km Metro network for the tricity. ■ Haryana CM batted for connecting Pinjore and Kalka with MRTS; besides adding PGI, HC, Secretariat, Vidhan Sabha to first phase of the MRTS ■ Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Punjab, TWIN CORRIDORS suggested MRTS connectivity from Airport Chowk to airport in Mohali in first phase itself ■ The report will be sent to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for final approval after incorporating suggestions ~1,795 cr ~6,898 cr ~1,878 cr ~10,570 cr RUNS OVERGROUND I GRAIN MARKET CHOWK (UT) TO PANCHKULA 22.5 KM II ISBT-43 TO SANETA VILLAGE (MOHALI) 16.5 KM c m y b GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 29°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 31.9°C | MIN 17.5°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.31 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6.29 AM » FIRM TO GET ONLY 25% OF PARKING LOTS INSIDE TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD Pb, Hry, UT give nod toMRTS for tricity, Metrolite on cards FORECAST FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE