Successful Launch of Chennai Metro Rail reinforces Summit of Bilateral Relation and Partnership of India & Japan

Successful Launch of Chennai Metro Rail reinforces Summit of Bilateral Relation and Partnership of India & Japan

Chennai (MAS): A metro rail service has been launched in the southern Indian city of Chennai, making it the sixth Indian city to get the service. The 10km (6.2-mile) stretch of elevated track has seven stations and connects Alandur to Koyambedu.

The journey takes 15 minutes – the metro is expected to ease traffic congestion. The construction is part of a proposed 45km (27-mile) network which is due to be completed by 2015. Chennai is the sixth Indian city to have the metro after Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai and Jaipur.

The 45km (27 miles)-long, 32-station service will eventually run on two corridors in the city: Washermenpet to Chennai Airport and Chennai Central to St Thomas Mount.

Partial Commissioning of the metro line from Koyambedu to Alandur today has reinforced the partnership of the Japan’s Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with Tamil Nadu in general and India in particular for all-round development in the country and in Chennai. JICA has extended JPY 130,293 million (approx. Rs 8,000 crore) in ODA (Official Development Assistance) loans over three tranches since 2008 for development of a 46 km metro rail system in Chennai.

The assistance from JICA has facilitated construction of underground and elevated rail-tracks, electrical, telecommunication and signaling systems and procurement of the trains. JICA is a public organization under the Government of Japan to channelize the country’s official development assistance.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr.Ichiguchi Tomohide, Deputy Chief Representative, JICA India Office said, “JICA has promoted development of economic infrastructure which facilitates sustained growth. Chennai metro will mitigate traffic congestion and enhance ease of travel; and reducing traffic congestion raises local economic output significantly.

Opening of the first metro line by Chennai Metro Rail Limited is a giant stride towards fulfilling Chennai Metro’s mission of providing safe, fast, reliable, accessible, convenient, comfortable, efficient, affordable and sustainable public transport service that is preferred by all.”

Once completed the Chennai metro project is expected to have over 260 trains running in either direction each day, transporting an estimated 60 lakh people each day by the year 2018. The Chennai Metro is integrated with other forms of public and private transport including buses and sub-urban trains to facilitate seamless travel by commuters.

The project has emanated from Tamil Nadu State Government’s urban transport policy of development of a mass rapid transport system to relieve traffic congestion and reduce vehicle pollution, thereby contributing to development of the regional economy and improvement in the urban environment.

JICA has extended JPY 337,796 million (approx. Rs 19,870 crore) in ODA loans since 1981 for all-round development in Tamil Nadu. The initiatives facilitated by the assistance include Tamil Nadu investment promotion program to expedite domestic and foreign investments, power transmission system enhancement across Tamil Nadu, provision for safe water supply and sewerage facilities across Tamil Nadu, water supply enhancement and fluorosis mitigation in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, biodiversity conservation and greening across Tamil Nadu, and the Chennai Metro.

JICA has also been implementing technical cooperation for enhancement of Chennai port operations and Master Plan Study of Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, among others, and extended grant aid of 2,162 million Yen (approx. Rs 128 crore) for enhancement of facilities at Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children (ICH) in Chennai.