No sanction for Chennai Metro extension yet

Despite Union Minister’s nod, no written approval received

December 19, 2014 01:57 am | Updated January 05, 2015 06:38 pm IST - CHENNAI

Last month, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu told reporters that phase-I extension of Chennai Metro, from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar, had been approved.

However, top officials in the State and at the Centre say there has been no written sanction for the extension of the line yet.

“The matter is still under consideration and will take at least another month. Some issues in the project are yet to be addressed,” a top official in the urban development ministry says.

In mid-November, Mr. Naidu had said he had approved the files for phase-I extension and it had to be only formally cleared by the Cabinet before the construction could begin.

“We are not able to go ahead with other procedures to start this project as it is still pending with the Centre. Unless we get a written sanction, what can we do?” says an official of Chennai Metro Rail Limited.

Just last week, the State had written to the Centre requesting sanction for the project; but there has been no response as yet.

The proposal for phase-I extension had been mooted years ago and the State had given its nod in October 2010 soon after soil tests had been conducted.

It is a Rs. 3,000-crore project that comprises a nine-km stretch which is partly underground from Washermenpet to Korukkupet and then continues as an elevated corridor up to Wimco Nagar.

Recently, a new station had been added to the alignment between Washermenpet and Korukkupet for the convenience of commuters.

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