Structures of CMBT and Koyambedu metro stations on elevated corridor are complete
After more than three years of non-stop construction activity, work on Chennai Metro Rail has arrived at Koyambedu. The structures of two metro stations — CMBT and Koyambedu — are now complete.
Part of the elevated stretch of corridor II, which runs from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount, the CMBT station is located close to the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, where bus services from Chennai to other towns and cities culminate.
The Koyambedu station, the terminal point of the Metro Rail service, is further up. A giant structure, which is to house the station, stands tall near the bus terminus with a track curving into it.
“We are simultaneously focussing on the track-laying work. We have covered 3.8 km each on the two lines between Vadapalani and Koyambedu so far,” said an official of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
According to CMRL sources, the physical construction of the structures is complete at both these stations. Work on the interiors is apace at CMBT, with Koyambedu following suit, officials said. The Ashok Nagar station, also along the same line, stands third in terms of completion of construction of the station. The 11-km stretch, said to be operational by the first quarter of 2014, covers eight stations from St. Thomas Mount to Koyambedu, where Metro Rail’s depot is coming up at a cost of Rs. 198.10 crore. Construction of the elevated stretch is being executed by Consolidated Construction Consortium.
Construction is less complicated
CMBT and Koyambedu are two stations off the main road, and their construction, according to the consultants engaged in the project, is straightforward compared to that of other stations on the stretch which are by the road, largely on Jawaharlal Nehru Salai. Typically, a station along the elevated stretch will have the concourse at a height of about 6 metres, where passengers can purchase their tickets. A further 5 metres up, the Metro Rail tracks will run. The area up to the concourse level is a non-paid area, but a passenger intending to proceed to the next level needs a ticket to pass through the security-clearance zone and take either the staircase, the escalator or the elevator to the next floor, sources said.
Model coach at Chennai Port
Meanwhile, the first model coach of Chennai Metro Rail, which was manufactured in Brazil, waits at the Chennai Port for customs clearance, before it can go to Sri City, a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Tada, about 60 km north of Chennai, in Andhra Pradesh.
According to CMRL sources, they hope to have a trial run of Metro Rail by the end of 2013 so that it can get operational in the first quarter of 2014.
Keywords: Chennai Metro Rail, Koyambedu, CMRL
Metro should really learn from singapore. Simple station designs which
leads to lesser maintenance and good connectivity with buses...may be
they can introduce mini buses within city which feeds the railway
stations. There are so many ways to improve the city...unfortunately the
agencies just dont do things the right way
Please make sure the stations are not mammoth buildings with no use like you see in
OMR road stations. Most of the station is dark and insecure. We need an open
platform for people to wait for the train which should be in minutes and people to go
in and out. The stations in Singapore MRT are small and functional. Don't build
mammoth buildings and waste money and not able to maintain.
Happy to congratulate the city railways and also Madam JJ for quick implementation local Railway system in Metro Railway,which goes a long way in relieving of traffic inthe city.
The state govt can go in for world bank soft loan over a long period for further improvement as well.and by issuing monthly./half yearly.yearly passes at concession rates, can augument further sources for further improvement i all the railways station, towards security, toilets and and drinking water facilities to western world cities.
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