Saturday, September 6, 2014

First commercial run of Chennai Metro Rail only in 2015

Chennai:

The first commercial run of Chennai Metro Rail from Koyambedu to
Alandur will take place next year, according to Union Minister for
Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu.

Naidu told reporters that Chennai Metro rail would start its first
commercial run between Koyambedu and Alandur by March next year.

He said although the Metro Rail managing director has committed that
it is likely by December but I feel Chennaites would be travelling in the
metro rail next year.

“It is likely to be slated on or before March 31, 2015,” he said.

He also said that that the proposal of Chennai Metro Rail taking over
Mass Rapid Transit System is with the Union Urban Development Ministry
and currently it is being discussed with Railway Ministry.

If the CMRL takes over operations of MRTS, then Chennaites could get
acces to better facilities in the stretch including modernised
stations, integrated ticketing systems and better facilities for
passengers. It will also improve frequency of services besides upkeep
of the stations in MRTS which are nothing but huge empty concrete
blocks.

He also said theat the new metro stations would have commercial
establishments, food courts, stalls and ATMs.

Naidu also visited Chennai Metro’s Alandur station as well as
inspected the elevated metro section of corridor-1 and the bridge
which is being installed for taking the viaduct across the suburban
railway line near Guindy.

Naidu has also welcomed the state’s plan to go in for monorail. “It is
the state’s choice,” the minister said. On the issue of funds for the
project, Union Urban Development Secretary Shankar Agarwal said that
the state could get funds from the private financial institutions.

Currently, 218km of metro rail system is operating in india, the minister said.


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