Chennai Metro News:Trial runs on the six-kilometre stretch between Alandur to Chennai Airport would begin next month

Chennai Metro News:Trial runs on the six-kilometre stretch between Alandur to Chennai Airport would begin next month

CHENNAI:  Come March, you may be able to take the Metro Rail from Koyambedu to Saidapet. Metro rail officials said the 2.75 km stretch between Alandur and Little Mount stations is almost ready and most likely will be operational in March. Currently, the Metro Rail is operational between Koyambedu and Alandur.

Chennai Metro Rail officials also said trial runs on the six-kilometre stretch between Alandur to Chennai Airport would begin next month. The electrification work on this stretch is in its final stages, with this stretch likely to be operational for public commuting earliest by April. “But the focus now is to open the stretch between Alandur to Little Mount. The track work is completed. Signalling work will be completed by March first week and clearance will be sought from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety in Bangalore, who will inspect the stretch,” said a Chennai Metro Rail official.

The opening of the stretch between Alandur to Little Mount will be beneficial for students and staff of Anna University who can avoid traffic during the rush hour and reach the university in less than 30 minutes. Usually, it takes nearly an hour to reach the university from Chennai Metropolitan Bus Terminus. Not only that people living near Saidapet can also use the Metro to reach CMBT to travel out of Chennai in  Omni buses as well as government buses that operate out of CMBT.

Meanwhile, the state government has begun the land acquisition process by notifying land owners and issuing notices through newspapers for Chennai Metro Rail’s extended phase from Washermenpet to Tiruvotiyur - a nine kilometer stretch of which 2.2 km will be underground, while the rest will be elevated. The state government is awaiting the Union government’s clearance for the extended phase. “We will be paying compensation for land acquired as per the new land acquisition act or through Transferrable Development Rights (TDRs),” said a Metro Rail official.

Koyambedu to Little Mount

Number of stations: 8

Total Distance: 12.1km

List of stations:

Koyambedu, CMBT, Arumbakkam, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar, Ekatuthangal, Alandur (Interchange) and Little Mount (Parangimalai)

Little Mount to Airport

Elevated Stretch

Total Distance: 8.75km

Stations: Six

List of stations: Little Mount, Guindy, Alandur, Nanganallur Road, Meenambakkam and Chennai Airport.

Source:Indian Express