Work on Chennai Metro Rail test track starts

First train to arrive on May end  

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

A major road link to Koyambedu market has been closed as Metro rail begins work to lay a test track for the four rake train, which is likely to be stationed in the Rs 198 crore state-of-the-art depot by May end.

A metro rail spokesman said that the market road F and G has been handed over to metro rail for laying the 800 metre test track, electrical works and building a ramp.

He said the test track would be ready by May end so that the train can use it.

The road was one of the key access point to Koyambedu market and Poonamallee High Road. Koyambedu Market Management Committee sources said that an alternate road near the fire station has been opened for linking Koyambedu market and Poonamalee road.

“The B road is made two way so that it is easier for the vehicles to access the market as well as the Omni bus stand,” said a MMC source.

Meanwhile, Metro Rail has laid 4.8 km of tracks up and down in the elevated stretch between Koyambedu to Vadapalani and Ashok Nagar to SIDCO. The first train run of metro rail is expected during the first quarter of 2014.

Interestingly, the structure work for the administration building in Koyambedu has been finished. “the interior works are being carried out,” said the spokesman. The contract to design and construct metro rail  depot in Koyambedu is being undertaken by Larsen and Toubro at a cost of Rs 198.10 crore. The work includes earthwork filling and compaction with vertical drains and viaduct ramps to provide access to the depot from Koyambedu station, sources added.

Even the tunneling work is progressing at a rapid pace and till now the seven tunnel boring machines have drilled a distance of 2.1 km. He said the tunneling work from Nehru Park to Chennai Egmore, Shenoy Nagar to Tirumangalam, May Day Park to Anna Salai and Chennai central is progressing smoothly.