Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Expected to Flag Off Chennai Metro Rail Soon

Chennai:  The Chennai Metro Rail that promises quick and convenient mode of public transport as well as help in easing traffic congestion in the city is likely to be launched soon.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will launch the project between Koyambedu and Alandur metro stations soon, a Metro Rail official told PTI.

Being built at a cost of over Rs 14,000 crore, phase-1 of the Chennai Metro Rail would cover a 45-km stretch in the city.

Designed as half underground and the rest elevated, one corridor is between Washermanpet and Airport and the other, from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount.

The section from Washermanpet to Saidapet on Anna Salai on corridor I and the section from Chennai central to Thirumangalam on corridor II will be underground and the remaining stations will be elevated.

Last year, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu had said the Centre had approved an extension of a nine-km stretch upto Thiruvottiyur from Washermenpet under phase-I of the project in North Chennai.

Launch of Chennai Metro Rail between Koyambedu and Alandur was scheduled to be operational by October last year. However, it got delayed.