Metro rail plans additional depot at Wimco Nagar; Commercial run from Koyambedu to Alandur after polls

Chennai:
As Chenai Metro Rail is preparing to start the commercial operations
in the the 10 km stretch between Alandur to Koyambedu after the
by-elections to R K Nagar constituency, plans are also on to have
additional metro rail depot in Wimco Nagar.


A Chennai Metro Rail official told Express that the commercial run
between Alandur to Koyambedu is likely to be inaugurated by the Chief
Minister only after the elections as the model code of conduct is
being imposed by the Election Commission.


This comes after Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety gave the final
approval. “The dates would be finalised only after the elections to R
K Nagar,” the official said.


Meanwhile, Metro rail is planning to have a depot at Wimco Nagar once
the Union government gives its approval to extending Chennai Metro
Rail’s Phase I project from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar at
Tiruvotiyur.


Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu has already given his
stamp of approval for extending the stretch to further 9km from
Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar.


The depot is being planned when talks are also on to have a second
depot at a site located near the airport. “This land belongs to
defence ministry and we are holding talks with the officials,” a Metro
Rail official said.


Interestingly, the official said that land is available at Wimco Nagar
to construct the depot. The plan to have additional depots is
necessitated as Metro Rail has two corridors and  there will be a
requirement for an additional depot to carry out maintenance of
trains.


Meanwhile, the elevated stretch of Chennai Metro Rail is likely to be
completed by the end of the financial year. The plan is also to have
the underground stretch between Koyambedu to Egmore completed by the
end of the financial year.


The tunneling between Koyambedu to Chennai Egmore is already over and
tracks are being laid now. “It is even likely to be completed by early
next year,” the official said.


Meanwhile, talks are also on with Afcons Infrastructure to take up the
work left by Russian-based firm Mosmetrostroy, one of the key
contractors of Chennai Metro Rail who walked out of the project. “We
want them to complete the two packages between Saidapet to DMS and May
day Park to DMS,” the metro rail source said.