CUMTA approves ₹4,080 crore Airport-Kilambakkam Metro Line of Chennai Metro

MRT Online Desk Posted on: 2022-11-25 07:05:00 Viewer: 9,714 Comments: 0 Country: India City: Chennai

Chennai, India (Metro Rail Today): The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has given its green signal for the implementation of long-awaited 15.5 km long Airport-Kilambakkam Metro Rail extension.

Now, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) may start floating tenders for the project and begin identifying land for acquisition. The Airport Line Metro project, estimated to cost ₹4,080 crore, is yet to be approved by the state government for funding. "CUMTA has recommended the proposal. This will help fast track the project as approval from other departments will be easy as CUMTA is the nodal agency under the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

The revised detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared and submitted to the state government for further review and approval. The approval has been given verbally and we will begin floating tenders for appointing a detailed consultant, land identification and utility diversion before we get government approval,"said an official.

As the project is one of pet project of state government, hence, their approval is expected shortly. Funding will be worked out after approval. After finalisation of funding and GOI approval, Tendering and construction will commence, he added.

The 15.5km elevated metro line is an extension of Phase-1 corridor of Chennai Metro from Washermenpet to the airport. This corridor will have 12 stations at Pallavaram, Kothandam Nagar, Chromepet, Mahalakshmi Colony, Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar, Tambaram, Irumbuliyur, Peerkankaranai, Perungalathur, Vandalur, Arignar Anna Zoo and Kilambakkam Bus Terminus. This corridor will link several southern suburbs beyond Tambaram including the bus terminus under construction with city core localities.

Earlier this year, CMRL was in discussion with the state highways which has also planned an elevated corridor on the same route from Airport to Irumbuliyur. "CMRL viaduct is proposed at Level 2 between Pallavaram rotary and Tambaram rotary to facilitate future construction of elevated road/grade separators on the stretch," said Jeyakumar, Special Officer, CUMTA.

He said that the final proposal has to be sent to the state government. "It is essential to enhance public transport connectivity to Kilambakkam as 65% of the commuters will have to travel there to board buses to places including Erode, Coimbatore, Madurai," he added. Once formalities are completed, the proposed railway halt will come up in 15 months.

For more details, please explore the Chennai Metro page of Metro Rail Today.