After enjoying a trip in the Chennai Metro from Koyambedu to Alandur, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin said all stations and coaches should be maintained properly and should not be neglected.
“It is a good start. But maintenance is the vital issue. The government should not neglect the project since it was started during the DMK regime,” said Mr. Stalin accompanied by former Chennai Mayor M. Subramaniam along with whom he laid the foundation for the project in 2009.
“But it should be expanded to places like Mylapore and Thiruvanmiyur in the city and suburban areas including Tiruvottiyur, Poonamallee and Thiruverkadu,” he said.
Pointing to the lack of parking facilities except in Koyambedu and Alandur stations, he said all stations should have places reserved for parking. “Otherwise cars and other vehicles once again flood the roads of Chennai and the purpose of Metro service will be defeated,” he said.
Mr. Stalin was standing in the coaches with scores of DMK cadre who travelled with him and he could get a seat only at Vadapalani station. He also spoke to a few passengers asking them if they were comfortable with the service.
He also made a request for reducing the fare, arguing that Delhi Metro was charging only Rs. 32 for a 44 km stretch and Kolkatta Metro Rs. 25 for 25 km. “The fare is comparatively high. Both the state and the Chennai Metro should take into consideration the request of the people. We should create a situation wherein 55 per cent of the commuters make use of the Metro service,” he said.
Mr. Stalin alleged that the project had been unnecessarily delayed for more than a year because the state government was waiting for the verdict on the disproportionate assets case.
