Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari has expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in the tricity’s Metro rail project.Warning the Centre about the already severe traffic congestion in Chandigarh, Tewari stressed that without a Metro rail system, the traffic situation would become unimaginable by 2036.Tewari had earlier taken up the matter during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha on December 11, highlighting the urgent need for the Metro rail.Responding to this, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu had said that notwithstanding the establishment of the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) on April 28, 2023, the Centre is yet to receive a proposal from the Chandigarh Administration and the Punjab and Haryana governments to set up a Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) in Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali and New Chandigarh.In response, Tewari said, “One can only wonder what the UMTA has been doing over the past 34 months, especially when Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) has already submitted two reports underscoring the financial viability of the project. Despite this, no proposal has been sent to the Centre by the states or administration concerned, which is a serious lapse.”“By claiming that no proposal has been received, the Ministry is conveniently absolving itself of the responsibility, ignoring the urgency of Chandigarh’s traffic crisis,” Tewari added.He said a perusal of the minister’s detailed reply clearly reflects that it is nothing more than the bureaucrats passing the buck.“Instead of taking ownership of a project vital to Chandigarh’s future, the minister is hiding behind the procedural excuses,” said Tewari, adding, “Our city’s future is being compromised, which is unacceptable.”Saying that the Metro construction has been completed in 18 cities of India, Tewari again underscored the urgent need for the Chandigarh Metro.Tewari said Chandigarh and its neighbouring areas continue to witness rapid growth in both population and vehicles.Pointing out that the pressure on the roads is mounting steadily, he said, “Each day, large numbers of commuters travel from New Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula to Chandigarh for work, which adds to the city’s already strained traffic network. The need for an integrated, modern public transport system has been felt for years. The Metro project would not only help ease congestion but also play a crucial role in reducing pollution, conserving fuel and providing a sustainable mobility solution for the tricity region.”Tewari noted that the project’s estimated cost has already surged from Rs 16,000 crore at the planning stage to nearly Rs 25,000 crore, warning that the delays would only inflate it further.“The Centre must treat the Chandigarh Metro as a ‘strategic lifeline’ to integrate the region and unlock its economic potential. The Centre must step in with Rs 25,000 crore to ensure that the long-delayed project finally moves ahead,” he demanded.