State-owned Indian consultancy Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) has proposed a Rs2857.5 crore (approximately $597m) Mass Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The proposal includes building a 190.5km BRT network with 11 corridors, connected through eight proposed intercity and intracity bus terminals.

The proposed corridors will be built in three phases and scheduled for completion in 2031.

The consultancy hopes to have the first phase complete within the next five years.

The bus network will cover the cities of Chandigarh, Panchklula, Mohali, Kharar, Zirakpur, Kalka, Pinjore, Dera Bassi, Baddi, Kot Bhela Alipur and Nalagarh.

The plan also includes renovating and widening a 594km road network at an estimated cost of Rs3,154 crore.

The plan is aimed at promoting the use of the public transport system in the country’s union territories, which is currently as low as 16%.

The proposal is under consideration by the Chandigarh administration.