Operations on the first underground stretch of the Chennai Metro Rail will commence on May 14. Sources in New Delhi confirmed that Union Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu will attend the opening ceremony.
According to officials of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), Industries Minister M.C. Sampath on Tuesday inspected the 7.6-km stretch from Thirumangalam to Nehru Park, as well as the facilities made available to the public, ahead of the launch.
“We have got the stretch fully ready. It is operational. The Chief Minister’s Office has also given the nod for the inauguration. The programme is scheduled for Sunday,” said a government source.
Finishing work
CMRL officials said Mr. Sampath, during the inspection, raised a few queries regarding the operations and provisions at the stations, all of which were clarified. “We are now carrying out the finishing work and getting ready for commencing operations,” an official said.
When this stretch becomes operational, the maximum fare will increase to ₹60 for the 17-km stretch from Nehru Park to Chennai airport.
Currently, Metro fares range between ₹10 and ₹50 for the general class and ₹20 and ₹100 for the special class.
This would be the third Metro stretch to become operational since the project was launched in 2012.
The existing routes — Koyambedu to Alandur and Little Mount to Chennai airport — are elevated.
Unlike on the elevated stretch, the underground stations will be air-conditioned and equipped with a special feature called ‘platform screen doors’, which would prevent commuters from accessing the tracks.
