The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Metro rail likely for Chennai in 5 years

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Metro rail likely for Chennai in 5 years

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL. 12. A metro rail system for Chennai may become a reality in about five years.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today announced in the Assembly that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation would prepare a project report in six months at a cost of Rs. 3.3 crores. "Simultaneously efforts will be taken to identify the organisation to take up this work and also the funding arrangements to be made".

The Corporation, in its feasibility report, said it was possible to undertake a rail project focussing on three corridors: from Tiruvottiyur to the Chennai airport along Anna Salai (31.54 km), from the Chennai Beach to Koyambedu along Periyar EVR Salai (13.54 km) and a network of 21.68 km from Tiruvanmiyur to the Ambattur Industrial Estate via LB Road, RK Mutt Road, Luz Church Road, Eldams Road, Theagaraya Road and Inner Ring Road.

The Corporation recommended taking up work on the first two projects under phase I during 2005-10 at an estimated cost of Rs. 5,086.85 crores. The two projects would cater for 10.56 lakh passengers every day. Consequently, the modal share of the public transport system would increase from 43 to 60 per cent.

Under the Tiruvottiyur-airport project, a stretch of about 8.4 km was suggested as an underground system. The remaining would be elevated along the median of the suggested corridors.

Low road space

The Chief Minster said strategic investments were needed to improve traffic movement and meet the ever-growing travel demand. In Chennai, road space was very low (only three-four per cent of the total area) and the vehicle population had increased more than 10 times in the past decade. This posed huge problems in traffic management and safe passenger movement. Hence the focus on strengthening and expanding mass transit networks.

The Chief Minister said she was keen on implementing a mass passenger movement scheme, which would cater for the long-term needs of the city and also wipe out shortage.

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