Uttarakhand, known as “Devbhoomi”, the second fastest growing state in India is a state in Northern India known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic views. It borders Himachal Pradesh to the north-west, Tibet to the north, Nepal to the west and Uttar Pradesh to the south and south-east, with a small part touching Haryana to the west. Most of the northern part of the state is covered by high peaks and glaciers of the Himalayas. The most crucial part of Uttarakhand’s economy is agriculture.
While Dehradun serves as the state capital of Uttarakhand, Nainital is the judicial capital of Uttrakhand. However, due to increased tourism and rapid urbanization in Uttarakhand, particularly in the city of Dehradun, the state has started witnessing major problems such as traffic congestion. To overcome these challenges, the idea of a metro system in the state of Uttarakhand has been proposed. THE Uttarakhand Metro will provide a more efficient mode of transportation to the locals and residents of Uttarakhand by improving connectivity between cities. The metro system will also boost the state’s economic growth by modernizing the state’s transportation infrastructure.
Uttarakhand Metro Overview
The Uttarakhand Metro is a mass rapid transit system (MRTS) consisting of two corridors proposed to connect Haridwar – Rishikesh – Dehradun in the state of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand Metro Rail Corporation Limited (UKMRC), a special purpose vehicle and an undertaking of the Government of Uttarakhand is the authorized authority responsible for executing the Uttarakhand Metro project.
Need for a metro system in Uttarakhand
Traffic congestion: Cities in Uttarakhand have been facing severe traffic congestion during tourist seasons and peak hours. Cities like Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh of Uttarakhand have witnessed a significant increase in private vehicle registration. The situation becomes particularly critical during rush hour, with the growth of commercial activities on both sides of the road and the parking of private vehicles on the street by residents further exacerbating the problem. To address severe road traffic congestion, the state deemed a more reliable and efficient alternative mode of transportation necessary.
Growing population: The state has witnessed a sharp increase in population due to rapid urbanization. As per the 2011 census, Uttarakhand had a population of approximately 10.1 million, reflecting a decadal growth rate of 18.81% compared to the 2001 census.
Haridwar district covers an area of 2,360 km2 and hosts a population of 1,890,422 as per the 2011 census. In comparison, Dehradun district covers a larger area than 3,088 m2. km and has a population of 1,698,569 according to the same census data. Population growth has led to major challenges in the state, one of which is the lack of effective modes of transportation.
Chronology:
December 2016: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the state government of Uttarakhand and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the Uttarakhand Metro.
June 2020: The one from Uttarakhand Unified Metropolitan Transportation Authority (UMTA) gave approval for a Complete mobility plan. This plan included the 73 km Dehradun – Rishikesh – Haridwar Metro project.
The Unified Metropolitan Transportation Authority (UMTA) approved the 73 km metropolitan rail corridor planned for Uttarakhand.
Specify key
Authorized authority | Uttarakhand Metropolitan Railway Corporation |
---|---|
Speed and track | Maximum speed: 70 kilometers per hourAverage speed: 25 kilometers per hour Track gauge: Standard gauge: 1,435 mm |
Safety and electrification | 750V DC Third Rail Overhead Line |
Train configuration | 3 coaches |
Estimated cost | ₹40,150 crore |
Routes
Operating: 0km | Under construction: 0 km | Proposed: 73km |
Phase 1
Line-1: Haridwar-Rishikesh
- Length: 32km
- Type: High and level
- Number of stations: 10
Phase 2
Line-2: Nepalese farm – Dehradun
- Length: 41km
- Type: High and level
Metro Neo projects in Uttarakhand
The Uttarakhand Metro Rail Corporation (UKMRC) is spearheading the Metro Neo project in Uttarakhand. It aims to establish a rapid transit system in Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh.
1. Dehradun Metro Neo Project
Approval and planning:
In its 16th meeting held on May 4, 2021, the council approved the DPR for two First Order transit corridors in Dehradun.
Proposed network: 22,424 km with 25 stations.
Deployment Model: SPV (60:40).
The Uttarakhand Metro Rail Corporation (UKMRC) has been directed to seek approval from the Government of Uttarakhand (GoUK) and the Government of India (GoI).
Approval process:
The state government approved the DPR and forwarded it to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). 12.01.2022.
On August 31, 2022 the Net Worth Planning Group (NPG) has recommended approval of the project, which is currently under review by the MoHUA.
2. Haridwar-Rishikesh Metro Neo Project
Approval and planning:
At its 15th meeting on 04.13.2021, the council directed the preparation of the DPR for the project.
Proposed network: 34,148 km with 20 stations.
DPR prepared by UKMRC.
Advantages of Uttarakhand Metro
- Improved Connectivity: A metro system in Uttarakhand will improve accessibility in the state by connecting major cities like Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh. This will improve connectivity in the state allowing residents and tourists to travel between cities more conveniently.
- Reduction of traffic congestion: Dehradun being an urban city has been facing major challenges regarding the increase in the number of vehicles and traffic congestion on the road due to attracting more tourists. A metro system in cities of Uttarakhand will alleviate severe traffic congestion in cities by providing an efficient mode of transportation.
- Increase in economic activities: With greater connectivity, the city will attract more businesses to locate in the cities, leading to greater job creation and a boost in local economies. This will increase the employment rate of the cities which will improve the economic growth of the state.
- Boost for tourism: The Uttarakhand government aims to promote more tourism in the state. The metro system can contribute to this as improved accessibility between tourist destinations and reduced travel times between cities will attract more tourists to cities, boosting tourism and economic growth of the state.
Challenges in Uttarakhand Metro
- Geographical factors: The mountainous terrain of Uttarakhand presents significant engineering challenges for the construction of elevated tracks and stations. The topography of the region requires meticulous planning and the application of advanced engineering solutions to ensure structural stability and safety throughout the construction process.
- Concern for passengers: Of all the existing metro systems in India, no metro system has achieved the expected ridership level to date. For example, the Pune Metro underestimated costs due to high expectations from ridership levels, but ultimately failed. For this reason, ridership always remains a challenge before planning and executing any metro system.
- Bureaucratic delays: The DPR report of the project was submitted to the central government by the DMRC, but the project faced delays and pending approval from the government for a year and a half. Due to these bureaucratic hurdles, the project is experiencing slow progress which is hampering the construction of the metro system in Uttarakhand.
- Financing constraints: The successful construction of the metro system in Uttarakhand requires secure and adequate funding. However, due to pending approvals and delays, the financing mechanism for the project has not been decided. To make the project sustainable a clear financial strategy is needed.
- Integration with other modes of transport: For efficient operations and maximum utilization of infrastructure, the integration of the metro system with existing transportation modes is crucial. Without adequate connectivity, passengers may have difficulty commuting, negatively impacting the overall performance of the metro system.
Conclusion
The Uttarakhand Metro project has been incorporated into a Complete mobility plan which was approved on June 11, 2020. The project aims to address critical transportation challenges and optimize connectivity particularly in Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh. Once operational, the Uttarakhand Metro project will accommodate the growing population of these cities and decongest the roads by decreasing the number of private vehicles. Furthermore, the project will boost the economic and tourism industry and attract an important part of the population to opt for the metro system.
However, the project faces challenges, including complex geographic terrain, passenger concerns, bureaucratic delays and funding constraints.
Ensuring the success of the project will require proactive planning, efficient execution and collaboration among stakeholders to overcome these challenges and provide a reliable and sustainable transportation system to the residents of Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh.
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