Centre gives nod to 3 corridors under Chennai Metro Rail Project phase-II
The project completion cost is Rs 63,246 crore and is planned to be completed by 2027.
Chennai Metro Train (CMRL)
CHENNAI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to construct three corridors under the Chennai Metro Rail project phase-II, costing Rs 63,246 crore, according to an official statement.
The project will comprise of new lines of 118.9 km with 128 stations which is being developed in three corridors across 173 km in Chennai city.
According to the statement, the three corridors include Madhavaram to SIPCOT having a length of 45.8 km with 50 metro stations and Lighthouse to Poonamalle Bypass across 26.1 km with 30 stations.
The proposed Madhavaram to Sholinganallur corridor, which will have a length of 47 km with 48 metro stations, was also approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"The project completion cost is Rs 63,246 crore and is planned to be completed by 2027. Once Phase-II is fully operational, the Chennai city will have a total metro rail network of 173 km," it stated.
Approved corridors will connect North to South and East to the West of Chennai, the release added.
The CMRL Phase II project will also have commuter-friendly multi-modal integration at 21 locations.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Union Cabinet approval and recalled he had on September 27 met PM Modi at New Delhi, and that he had made the request regarding the metro rail project, besides others.
Meanwhile, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the same, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai said, "On behalf of Tamil Nadu BJP and the people of Chennai, we thank PM Narendra Modi for the Cabinet approval for funding phase 2 of the Chennai Metro Rail project. Our PM has always had a special interest in ensuring that TN receives its rightful share, which was denied during the 10 years of the UPA Government despite DMK holding key portfolios. We are confident that Phase 2 of Chennai Metro will progress now steadfastly and benefit the daily commuters as this project traverses through the city to connect to the IT corridor," he noted in a social media post.
Annamalai on Monday had requested the Prime Minister to consider infusing 50:50 equity sharing for Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project. He had also accused the ruling DMK government of politicising the project over the alleged 'delay' in allocating funds.
(With PTI inputs)
