TN plans Phase-II metro study

So far, an amount of Rs 3,060.74 cr has been provided by State as share capital

The government of Tamil Nadu is planning to take up a detailed project report for Phase II of the Chennai metro rail project.

“This government will ensure faster clearance from the Union government for the Washermenpet to Thiruvottriyur corridor, besides taking up the detailed project report (DPR) for Phase II of the project in the newly-identified corridors,” said Tamil Nadu governor K Rosaiah, in his address to the state Assembly.

The works for the Chennai metro rail project were progressing well, he said.

The test run of the metro rail was conducted on November 6, 2013. So far, Rs 3,060.74 crore has been provided by the state as share capital and subordinate debt, besides back-to-back loan support of Rs 3,864.83 crore from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (Jica). Metro officials said the Phase-I of the project was expected to be fully completed by 2015.

Mooted as Tamil Nadu's largest infrastructure project, the metro rail project was estimated to cost Rs 14,600 crore.

The Jica’s funding contribution in the project stands at 59 per cent; 20 per cent by the Centre and the remaining from the state government.

The project aims to provide a convenient, modern and economical mode of public transport, which is properly integrated with other forms of public and private transport including buses, sub-urban trains and mass rapid transit system (MRTS).

This would be the first metro project in the country, which will integrate other modes of public transport. The project is expected to reduce commuting time by 75 per cent from one end of the city to another.