RVNL signs ₹4,058 crore civil contracts for Chennai Metro Phase 2 Project

Chennai, India (Metro Rail Today):  In a significant move aimed at further bolstering urban transportation in Chennai, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has recently entered into a groundbreaking agreement with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) for the construction of 12 full underground metro stations. This monumental deal, valued at a staggering ₹4,058.20 crore, was officially inked on September 13, 2023.

The heart of this ambitious project lies in the creation of 12 full underground metro stations, along with additional work on four underground stations, excluding the diaphragm wall, which will span from Kilpauk Metro to Taramani. The Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for this project was issued on June 20, 2023. Corridor 3 will receive a budget of ₹1,730.60 crore, corridor 4 will be allocated ₹1,461.97 crore, and corridor 5 will see an investment of Rs 865.63 crore. Together, these three corridors represent a monumental investment in Chennai's transportation infrastructure, with a combined value of ₹4,058.20 crore.

It's noteworthy that the financing for this colossal project comes from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), demonstrating the global interest in India's urban infrastructure development. JICA's involvement further strengthens the ties between India and Japan in advancing sustainable transportation systems. This also marks the first contract signing for corridor 5, a significant achievement for CMRL.

The official signing of the contract agreement took place in the presence of prominent figures in the transportation and infrastructure sectors. MA Siddique, the Managing Director of CMRL, played a pivotal role in cementing this partnership. Joining him were T Archunan, Director (Projects) from the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE), and Kamalakara Reddy, Chief Project Manager from Rail Vikas Nigam Limited. Their collective expertise and commitment underscore the gravity of this agreement.

In a related development, CMRL recently celebrated a remarkable milestone in terms of ridership. The month of August witnessed an unprecedented surge in passengers, with over 85 lakh commuters choosing to travel by the metro. This marks the highest monthly ridership recorded in 2023.

The ridership trends for the year tell an impressive story of the growing popularity of Chennai's metro system. The numbers steadily climbed, starting from 66,07,458 in January, 63,69,282 in February, 69,99,341 in March, and 66,85,432 in April. The momentum continued with 72,68,007 passengers in May, 74,06,876 in June, and 82,53,692 in July. The record-breaking moment occurred on August 11, when a staggering 3,29,920 passengers traveled via the Chennai Metro Rail.

The Chennai Metro Rail's expansion plans and record-breaking ridership figures reflect the city's commitment to providing efficient and sustainable urban transportation solutions. With the recent agreement to construct 12 new underground metro stations, Chennai is poised to further enhance its public transport network, ensuring a brighter and more accessible future for its residents and commuters.

In conclusion, this monumental contract between CMRL and RVNL heralds a new era in Chennai's transportation infrastructure, bringing the dream of a more efficient and sustainable urban transit system one step closer to reality.

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