CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): The 118.9-km Phase II project of the Chennai Metro Rail is expected to cover another 93 km, with the goal of extending it to Parandur, where a greenfield airport has been proposed.
Three corridors have been planned for the 61,843 crore Phase II project: Corridor 3, which covers the 45.8 km Madhavaram-Siruseri line, Corridor 4, which covers the 26.1 km Lighthouse and Poonamallee, and Corridor 5, which runs from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur (47.0 km).
Corridor 5 to Avadi via Thirumangalam and Mogappair (17 km), Corridor 4 to Parandur (50 km), and Corridor 3 from Siruseri to Kilambakkam Bus Terminus via Kelambakkam (26 km) will all be extended.
According to CMRL officials, a consultant will soon be hired to conduct a thorough feasibility study for these extensions and submit a report with recommendations.
“We have just floated a request for a proposal to select a consultant for these corridors. The consultant will go through the existing reports such as the comprehensive mobility plans, the present transport routes, and development plans. The consultant will come back to us with a report in a few months,” an official stated.
The report will cover a variety of topics, such as traffic congestion, peak-hour travel, projected travel demand for these corridors over the next 30 years, estimated construction costs, the need for both public and private funding, social and environmental impacts, and various other factors.
The Metro Rail will be extended from the Chennai airport to Kilambakkam, where a bus terminal will soon be constructed. The CMRL has provided the State government with a thorough project report.
According to the sources, this line will allow commuters access to the bus terminus from a variety of locations.
After the major areas of the city are covered, the route to Parandur is likely to have fewer stations than the other stretches, the sources said.
