After Mumbai dream run, monorail mania catches Chennai's fancy

After the successful launch of the monorail project in Mumbai on Sunday, Tamil Nadu is gearing up to implement a similar project in Chennai. A state government undertaking has issued request for qualification (RFQ) from interested parties to develop the proposed $522-million (about Rs 3,235 crore) project.

The estimated length of the line is 20.68 km. The project will be taken up through public-private partnership (PPP) on a design, build, finance operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis.

The project will be implemented by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd (MTC).

Monorails will run between Poonamallee and Kathipara with a  link from Porur to Vadapalani.

The main line would pass via Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Iyyanapthangal, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Porur Lake, Porur, Mugalivakkam, Ramapuram, Nandhambakkam, Kathipara Junction.  The link line which starts at Porur Lake will go through Arcot Road, Valasaravakkam, Alwar Thirunagara, Virugambakkam and Vadapalani.

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2011 announced that her government would implement a Rs 16,650-crore monorail project for Chennai. Four corridors have been identified based on a feasibility study. The work will be taken up initially in the first three corridors.

On the advantages of the project, the state administration said land acquisition was minimal for the project. The monorail is safe, consumes less space, easy to construct, cause minimal disruption during construction, aesthetically pleasing, no grid power required for operation, environment friendly and cost-efficient. It has the advantage of branching and serving interior areas.

Since the project will be implemented through DBFOT basis, there is no financial commitment for the state government.