From the locally procured rolling stock to construction by Indian contractors, the focus on urban transport will boost ‘ease of living’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after opening a slew of projects in Chennai on Sunday.
Flagging off the Chennai Metro Rail phase-I extension service from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar, he said that though there had been a global pandemic, the project was completed on time. Mr. Modi said ₹63,000 crore had been set aside for the 119-km phase-II, one of the largest projects sanctioned for any city in one go.
He also inaugurated the fourth rail line from Chennai Beach to Attipattu. The 22.1-km line, laid at a cost of ₹293.40 crore, will help in reducing traffic from the Chennai port. “Improved connectivity brings convenience. It also helps commerce.
The Chennai Beach Ennore-Attipattu stretch of Golden Quadrilateral is a high traffic density route. There is a need to ensure faster freight movement between the Chennai Port and the Kamarajar Port,” he said.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami requested sanction for phase-II of Chennai Metro Rail, with a 50:50 joint venture between the Centre and the State.
