Extension of Metro Rail services may get underway by Aug end

Extension of Metro Rail services on the Airport-Alandur sector may get underway by August end, as the Commissioner (Railway Safety), Sudarshan Naik today said he was satisfied with the progress of work and that it would 'hopefully' begin by end of next month.
"I have inspected the airport station and Alandur. Two more stations are there. By and large, I am satisfied with the total scheme of things," Naik, who is on a two-day visit to the city said.
He said a report would be submitted to the Union government after conducting inspections today and tomorrow.
"It will be done sooner than you expect... Hopefully," he said to a query on whether commercial operations would begin by next month end.

The first phase of the Rs 14,600 crore project was inaugurated last year between Koyambedu and Alandur, a 10.15 km elevated stretch.
Phase-II of metro Rail covers two more corridors for a stretch of 104.50 km.

Naik declined to comment when asked for his response on delay in commissioning of services in the 45 km first phase of the project, saying a lot of agencies are involved in it.
"I will not be able to comment exactly on delays. There may be certain difficulties because a lot of agencies are involved. But I have no correct information. I will not able to tell. It is not my domain of work".

On July 23, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had said that services on Little Mount-Airport route would begin in August, extension from Alandur to St Thomas Mount Station in October while that from Koyambedu to Park Station was expected to begin by end of this year.