CMRL to extend phase 2 till proposed airport at Parandur

CHENNAI: The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has planned to further extend the Metro rail service in phase II by 93 km in in all 3 corridors of phase II.

Extension of Corridor 4 (from Poonamalle to Parandur, where Chennai’s second greenfield airport is likely to come) will be of approximately 50 km.

Sources said that a consultant will be finalised to conduct a detailed feasibility study by October.

Extension of corridor 5 (from Koyambedu to Avadi via-Thirumangalam and Mogappair) will be carried out for 17 km approximately. Corridor 3 (from Siruseri to Kilambakkam Bus Stand) will be approximately 26 km.

Speaking to DT Next, a CMRL official said, “The overall extension in all three Corridors of phase II Metro construction is planned for 93 km. We’ve invited a consultant to conduct a detailed feasibility study on this expansion project. By October, the consultant will be finalised. In subsequent three months, other project-related works will commence.”

Initially, the phase II construction of Metro had been planned for 118.9 km with 128 stations overall. Already being the longest stretch with 3 corridors, the added extension will help residents of the respective locality.

In the existing phase II project, Corridor 3 (from Madhavaram to SIPCOT) is of 45.8 km, followed by Corridor 4 (from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass) with 26.1 km and Corridor 5 (from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur) is 47 km – all being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 63,246 crore.

Meanwhile, after nearly 3 years of State government’s approval for Metro construction between Chennai Airport and Kilambakkam, the project picked up pace a few months ago. In the stretch, 12 Metro stations, which are Pallavaram, Kothandam Nagar, Chrompet, Mahalakshmi Colony, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Tambaram, Irumbuliyur, Peerkankaranai, Perungalathur, Vandalur, Anna Zoological Park and Kilambakkam bus terminus are likely to be constructed.