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The underground metro rail stretch between AG-DMS and Washermenpet in North Chennai will be opened by the year-end. This will facilitate train travel from Chennai airport to Washermenpet (22.5 km).
“Track-laying works are going on. We will start the trial run from AG-DMS to Washermenpet via Chennai Central by September or October,” Vijay Kumar Singh CGM, Underground Construction, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd, told newspersons.
Last week, the underground stretch between Saidapet and AG-DMS was inaugurated. Passenger had a free ride for three days in this stretch.
Passenger traffic
L Narasim Prasad, Director, System and Operation, CMRL, said a total of nearly 3 lakh passengers travelled in Chennai metro rail in the last three days. When asked if this patronage would continue when the ride becomes paid, Prasad said that in any metro, ridership would increase only when the entire stretch is operational. This was the case with Delhi and Bengaluru metros and would be same in Chennai.
Daily average earning was around ₹10 lakh (only rail fare) and ₹1 lakh on parking. Daily ridership will be 25,000 to 30,000, he said.
On integration of CMRL and MRTS, Prasad said consultant’s report was received a month ago and was forwarded to Southern Railways. They are analysing it, and will send it to Railway Board. Based on their feedback, a decision will be taken on the modalities and financials.
If the integration happens, Tamil Nadu will be the first State where Railways operated rapid transit system will be integrated with the metro rail.
MRTS extension
The 19-km line of Chennai MRTS extends from Chennai Beach to Velachery. A 5-km extension of the line from Velachery to St Thomas Mount is under construction. However, a stretch of around 300 m is involved in a legal battle over higher compensation sought by local people. Southern Railway has already given Terms of Reference to CMRL for integration.
Meanwhile, with the first phase of Chennai metro nearing completion, work on the second phase covering a total distance of 107.5 km will begin in a few months. A Detailed Project Report has been prepared for three metro rail corridors in second phase that has been included under Japan Investment Corporation Rolling Plan.
The three corridors are Madhavaram to Siruseri (45.77 km), Madhavaram to Sholinganallur (44.66 km) and Light House to CMBT (17.12 km).
For the second phase, technical bids will be finalised by next month following which the EPC contractor should be selected, said Singh.
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