multimodal integration

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is negotiating with L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers to conduct a study to assess development along metro rail corridor.

The project ‘Study on densification of Chennai Metro Rail corridors’ will assess the influence area of metro rail and support CMRL by inducing developments along the corridor. The negotiations began with L&T Ramboll after Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) invited consultants for the study.

CMDA sources told Express that initial negotiations were held last Friday where L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers and CMDA failed to reach an agreement over the cost of the project.

It is learnt L&T Ramboll quoted a price of nearly Rs 80 lakh to conduct the study, which also includes household survey and commercial and institutional survey within the influence areas of the metro rail corridor and to identify the areas from which commuters are likely to be attracted.

However, CMDA wanted the price to be reduced to Rs 60 lakh. “Further negotiations will continue and a reasonable price will be arrived at,” a CMDA source said.

Sources said discussions also revolved on various issues, which includes using satellite imagery to capture information along CMRL corridor as well as 500 metre on either side of metro corridor. “This will help carry out property level survey,” sources revealed.

Sources said the study would also review master plan of Chennai Metropolitan Area besides comprehensive traffic and transportation study (CTTS) and other relevant studies.  It will also carry out classified traffic volume surveys during morning or evening peak periods at the approach intersections of various stations along CMRL corridors to prepare traffic projections for various phases and scenarios besides formulating a strategy for densification of corridors.

Besides preparing the Corridor Management Plan, including land use and transport infrastructure inventory for the influence area of each station, the study will also look into growth prospects, infrastructure development plan and transportation network plan including traffic and transport recommendation with necessary projections.