The State government has set aside Rs. 36,000 crore for Phase II of Chennai Metro Rail and is considering three corridors sprawling over 76 km of the city for this project, sources said.
The corridors III, IV and V for Phase II include Madhavaram to Light House (17 km), Koyambedu to Injambakkam (27 km), and Madhavaram to Perumbakkam (32 km). In January, Governor K. Rosaiah had announced the decision to prepare a detailed project report for Phase II.
The work for Phase I of Chennai Metro Rail began in 2009 and is expected to cost Rs. 14,600 crore with two corridors that extend over 45 km — 24 km will run underground and 21 km will be elevated. Of the Rs. 14,600 crore, Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA)is to contribute 59 per cent, the Centre 20 per cent, and the State, the remaining share.
Officials of the State government are holding discussions to finalise the project and it is not clear whether JICA will provide financial assistance to Phase II, sources added. Initial estimates show that for each kilometre of Phase II, the State government may have to spend about Rs. 475 crore.
Work on a detailed project report for Phase II may begin next month. It has also been decided that Metro Rail corridors will meet the Monorail at Vadapalani and Kathipara. Officials said that a walkway or walkalator may be created to facilitate integration between Monorail and Metro Rail.
