In the face of an objection from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Chennai Metro Rail Limited has revised the height of the elevated track near the airport.
Portions of the Metro Rail corridor between Officers Training Academy at St.Thomas Mount and Meenambakkam will be partly sunk below ground so that the height would match that of the compound wall of the airport.
Earlier, the AAI had objected to the elevated track, particularly the 25 kv AC overhead traction, near the approach path of the runway, opposite to Trident Hotel.
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It had said that the height and proximity of the Metro corridor on this stretch would cause obstruction to the approach funnel and transition surfaces of the runway, and the overhead traction would pose serious safety concern.
“There is a broad agreement with the airports authority on the proposed changes. However, there are a few technicalities to be sorted out and they would be done shortly,” said K.Rajaraman, Managing Director, Chennai Metro Rail Limited. Sources at the AAI confirmed that the discussions are under way, but the no-objection certificate (NOC) has not been issued yet.
In the event of the sinking of Metro line, arrangements have to be made to fence and protect the commuters on road from the traction line and the train track.
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The existing connecting roads to the GST Road on this stretch will also require modifications.
The construction of two Metro Rail corridors running to a total length of 45 km was inaugurated in June 2009. The first corridor will run between Washermenpet and the airport along Anna Salai. About 14 km of this stretch will be below ground and 8.8 km elevated.
Efforts are under way to extend this corridor by another nine km from Washermanpet to Tiruvottiyur.