CMRL not on track for April deadline

Unsurprisingly, CMRL has a little too much to do on the underground stretch to ensure the commissioning of the first ever underground stretch on schedule. 

DTNext has reliably learnt that CMRL has not even invited the CMRS (Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety) for inspection, which is the last process before the city people take their first ever ride in the underground stretch of the network. 

A CMRL officer who admitted that 90% of the work has been completed on the stretch, said on conditions of anonymity that, “Architectural works are pending. It might take some time to complete it. As of now, it is not possible to commission the stretch in April.” 

Despite asserting that the CMRS inspection would only require two days and the application process could be completed in a few days, the officer conceded that it may not be possible to successfully complete the CMRS inspection and begin the commercial run in April. 

The underground stretch comprising seven stations (Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar Tower, Anna Nagar East, Shenoy Nagar, Pachaiyappa’s College, Kilpauk and Nehru Park) could be thrown open for public use in May, the officer said. Once commissioned, commuting to Airport from Anna Nagar, Kilpauk and Aminjikarai surroundings would cost a meager Rs 70, and that too in a little over 30 minutes.

In October 2016, CMRL conducted its first trial run on the network stretch by running a four-car-train from the elevated Koyambedu via a ramp at Tirumangalam station from where the section runs fully underground till Nehru Park.