The Hindu : Front Page : Chennai Metro Rail to roll out by 2014-15

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Thursday, Jun 11, 2009
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Chennai Metro Rail to roll out by 2014-15

Staff Reporter

Proposal to extend it up to Tiruvottiyur under consideration

— Photo: M. Vedhan

FIRST STEP: Piling work for construction of Metro Rail was inaugurated on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: The Chennai Metro Rail Project will become operational by 2014-15, according to Deputy Chief Minister M.K.Stalin.

Speaking to mediapersons at the launch of the piling work for the construction of an elevated viaduct from Koyambedu to Ashok Nagar on Wednesday, he said that the State government would ensure that the project got enough funds. The proposal to extend the project up to Tiruvottiyur was under State government consideration, he added.

An official of Chennai Metro Rail Limited said that work on two corridors – Washermenpet to airport and Chennai Central to St.Thomas Mount – would be taken up simultaneously.

The 45-km-long phase I, covering both the corridors, would have 35 stations. The official said that the stations would either be elevated or underground.

Of the total land required for the project, 90 per cent was public. “We are trying to further reduce the requirement of private land by making changes in the design. Not many buildings will be pulled down.”

The project would take over some private land for the construction of staircases, escalators and lifts. The company proposes to provide Transfer of Development Rights as an alternative to compensation. “With regard to the compensation we have appointed a private real estate consultant to assist us to establish benchmarks to provide a fair amount to those giving us land,” he said.

Chief Secretary K.S.Sripathi, Chennai Metro Rail Limited Managing Director T.V.Somanathan and Mayor M.Subramanian participated in the function.

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