Jayalaithaa thanks PM for Cabinet nod for Chennai Metro Rail extension

The development comes at a time when rumours are doing rounds that Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK may join BJP-led NDA

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today thanked the Prime Minister for clearing extend Corridor I of Chennai Metro Rail. The development comes at a time News floating around that Jayalaithaa led AIADMK may join BJP-led NDA.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today she said, "I thank you for having accorded clearance for the implementation of the Chennai Metro Project Phase I Extension.  I also thank you for making a special allocation of food grains for a period of 3 months from April to June, 2016 for Tamil Nadu in keeping with our request to continue such special allocations.”

The Union Cabinet has accorded approval to the proposal to extend Corridor I of Phase I of the Chennai Metro Rail Project from Washermanpet to Tiruvotriyur / Wimco Nagar covering a further 9.51 kilometres at a cost of Rs 3,770 crores. 

Ealier Jayalalithaa had requested an early clearance of this proposal in the two memoranda presented to the Prime Minister in June 2014 and in August 2015. 

This proposal would enable Metro rail services to be provided to the densely populated neighbourhoods of northern Chennai.

Jayalaithaa inaugurated the operations of Chennai Metro Rail on June 29, 2015. 

More than 95% of the physical work and financial expenditure on the Chennai Metro Rail Project so far, has been completed in the period since May, 2011. The metro rail stretch currently under operation has proved to be a convenient and popular public transport mode for Chennai.