Expressing satisfaction at the progress of the work on the Chennai Metro Rail project, Deputy Chief Minister M.K.Stalin on Friday said the stretch between Koyambedu and St.Thomas Mount is likely to be commissioned in 2013.
The first phase of the project, which involves creation of two corridors – from Washermenpet to the Chennai airport; and between Chennai Central station and St. Thomas Mount railway station – is scheduled for completion in 2015, according to an official release.
Addressing mediapersons, after inspecting the Metro Rail work at various locations, Mr. Stalin said the total length of the two corridors would be 45 km and an estimated six lakh commuters are expected to use the train services daily.
He said work on the elevated corridor was on three stretches – Koyambedu to Ashok Nagar (4.5 km); Ashok Nagar to St. Thomas Mount (4.4 km); and Saidapet to Officers' Training Academy (5.2 km). A total of 81 concrete pillars had been erected and elevated viaducts for installing tracks had been completed on 11 piers.
The construction work of Metro stations on the elevated corridor in Vadapalani and Koyambedu had begun and contracts awarded for construction of eight more elevated stations. On the extension of Metro Rail, Mr. Stalin said in October 2010 the State government had cleared the proposal to extend it beyond Washermenpet to Tiruvottiyur via Wimco Nagar. This extension would cost around Rs.3,001 crore.
Detailed project reports would be prepared for three new Metro routes running to a total distance of 63 km. The routes would be from Moolakadai to Thirumangalam (22 km); Moolakadai-Thiruvanmiyur (19 km); and from Luz to Iyyappanthangal (22 km), the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Contracts for different packages, involving works in both the elevated and underground sections, had been finalised.
