‘No clarity on Metro’

A final call on dates for the first commercial run of Chennai Metro can be taken only after the required safety approval is given, say officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited.

That apart, uncertainty prevails because of the ongoing court case against AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, the official said. “We have no clear idea yet on the way forward,” he said.

CMRL officials plan to invite the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) — whose clearance is required to begin commercial operations — for inspection by the end of this month or early next month.

“If the State government had indicated a probable date, we could have arranged the inspection accordingly,” an official said.

Now, owing to the delay, contractors have slowed down the pace of work, officials said.