In a first step as part of phase II of its network, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) has commenced soil tests in Madhavaram.
Phase II will be over 108 km in length, with three corridors — Madhavaram to Siruseri, Lighthouse to CMBT, and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur — and will have 116 stations. It is estimated at ₹80,000 crore. The project will be taken up in stages; the Madhavaram to CMBT and the Madhavaram to Sholinganallur stretches will be constructed at a cost of ₹44,000 crore.
Construction work can only begin once the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) sanctions a loan, and the Centre gives its nod. Officials said that they want to finish the preliminary work so that construction can take off as soon as CMRL gets the loan and approval.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to CMRL officials, the soil tests and geo-technical investigations at Madhavaram will reveal the geological conditions in the two corridors. “These tests will tell us about various aspects, including the soil conditions underneath and the depth of the water table. This is important because a majority of the 52 km stretch will be underground and to build that, we need to have precise information about the soil conditions. We have started with Madhavaram now and will conduct soil tests in other areas too,” an official said.
CMRL has also begun acquiring land for the project in various areas of the city. It has started sending out notices to residents, and nearly 800 properties will be acquired for the first stage of the project alone.