The work on the elevated stretch of the phase I extension of the Chennai Metro Rail is all set to begin as contracts have been awarded to construct the viaduct and stations from Tondiarpet to Wimco Nagar.
According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), the firms NCC Limited and Simplex Infrastructure Limited have been awarded the contract to build six stations — Tondiarpet, Toll Gate, Gowri Ashram, Thangal, Tiruvottiyur and Wimco Nagar — and viaduct along this stretch. “This time we have separated the work in such a way so as to award two contracts so that the firms can finish the work without any delay,” an official said.
The work on this stretch is likely to be completed and open to public by 2019.
₹3,770 crore-project
The phase I extension project, estimated to cost ₹3,770 crore just saw the completion of tunnelling work from Washermanpet to Korukkupet, nearly a year after it began. Soon, the work on laying track and other work such as construction of cross passages — the pathway that passengers can take in times of emergencies — will be taken up.
This stretch runs underground from Washermanpet to Korukkupet and then runs as an elevated corridor up to Wimco Nagar.
Iinitial work on the construction of pile cap for the viaduct began a few months ago; that was also awarded as a separate contract by CMRL.
This project was mooted several years ago and the State gave its approval seven years ago. But the project got the nod from the Centre only in June 2016. In fact, the last public appearance of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was at the launch of this project in September 2016, three months before she died.
If this stretch is opened to the public, thousands of commuters from north Chennai will be greatly benefited and mobility will improve too, officials said.
