Coimbatore will get its own Metro Rail, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced in the State Assembly on Wednesday.
In addition, the CM also announced that the project proposal for Chennai Metro's Phase II has been given an in-principle approval and sent to the Centre for approval and disbursal of funds. The budget for Phase II has been set at Rs. 85,047 crore.
Phase II of the project comprises three corridors running to 107.55 km. The corridors are — Madhavaram Milk Colony to SIPCOT for 45.77 km (via Padi, Valasaravakkam and Medavakkam), CMBT to Light House for 17.12 km and Madhavaram Milk Colony to Sholinganallur for a stretch of 44.66 km (via Perambur, Luz, Adyar and ECR).
However, keeping in mind the traffic congestion that would arise in the Virugambakkam, Valasaravakkam areas on Arcot Road, the metro line from CMBT to Light House has been extended to Poonamallee through Vadapalani and Porur, a statement from the government said.
Chennai Metro Rail will get a detailed plan report for this extension ready, the statement said and added that this would cost an additional Rs. 3,850 crore.