For phase II, Chennai Metro plans a part elevated and part underground corridor from Light House to Poonamallee. Earlier, the proposed corridor from Light House to CMBT was supposed to be entirely underground. Then, the State government announced Metro connectivity all the way to Poonamallee. Officials have now decided to merge these corridors with a minor change in alignment, sources said.
So, the line from Light House, instead of touching CMBT, will travel to Poonamallee via Valasarawakkam. This corridor will be underground from Light House to Meenakshi College stations, and after that, take the elevated route all the way to Poonamallee.
Chennai Metro will be making a viaduct over two existing structures at Vadapalani — the first level being the flyover at the intersection of Jawaharlal Nehru Salai and second the viaduct for Chennai Metro’s own phase I line running from Koyambedu to Alandur via Vadapalani. “It will be a challenge to carry it out but after we get the necessary clearances, we will construct the viaduct,” a source said.
According to sources in Chennai Metro, they have decided to make the remaining corridor elevated as right of way (road width) is available.
Design consultant
“The detailed project reports (DPR) for the stretch from Light House to Meenakshi College and from Valasarawakkam to Poonamallee is ready; these two DPRs will be combined and made into one. A detailed design consultant (DDC) will soon start work for the stretch from Light House to Meenakshi College and they will decide where exactly the stations will be located, the land required for stations and other facilities and other specifics of the project and the work will start first for this stretch. Subsequently, a DDC will be appointed for the Poonamallee stretch too and work will be taken up,” another source said.
Stations on the stretch
The stretch from Light House to Meenakshi College, covering a distance of about 12 km, includes the following stations: Light House, Forehore Estate Road, Kutchery Road, Thirumayilai, Alwarpet, Bhararthidasan Road, Adyar Gate Junction, Nandanam (interchange with Line 1), Natesan Park, Panagal Park, Kodambakkam Metro, Meenakshi College.
Chennai Metro is likely to get funds for the stretch from Light House to Meenakshi College from Asian Development Bank and talks are on with bank officials.
