Metro to operate two routes to airport
TNN | Updated: Feb 5, 2019, 07:01 IST
CMRL will operate trains from Central metro station to the airport on both the corridors of phase 1CHENNAI: When phase-1 becomes completely operational, commuters can take a direct train from Central Metro to Airport and can travel in two different directions as the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) will continue to operate the direct service that will link all the major transit hubs from Central, Egmore Railway, Koyambedu CMBT and Airport via Alandur. The last leg of the 45km phase-1, from Washermenpet to AG-DMS, covering 10-km line with eight underground stations is all set to open later this month.
“We were initially considering to discontinue the direct line after opening the Washermenpet to AG-DMS line. But we understand that there is a demand for the direct service and so we have decided to continue the service,” a metro rail official said.
The original two corridors of phase-1 are from Washermenpet to Airport via Central Metro and Central Metro to St Thomas Mount. But CMRL introduced a direct service from Central Metro to Airport via Nehru Park, Shenoy Nagar, Anna Nagar, Vadapalani and Alandur. A metro train is available every 15 minutes on this line which was launched on popular demand.
If CMRL continues with the direct line, commuters could board a train from Central Metro and reach airport via Poonamallee High Road, Shenoy Nagar, Anna Nagar and Alandur. After the stretch between Washermenpet to AG-DMS becomes operational, commuters can board a train from Central Metro to Airport and travel also via the underground stretch on Anna Salai.
As the direct service via Poonamallee High Road line is a circuitous route, a metro rail official said, “It may take an additional 10 minutes more to reach airport via the Poonamallee High Road line compared to the Anna Salai line.” At present, it takes 50 minutes to reach the airport.
By operating a service from Central to Airport on two different corridors, commuters who are boarding the train from stations anywhere between Egmore Metro and Ekkattuthangal will not have to change corridors.
At present, the direct train operated from Central Metro through the stations on Poonamallee High Road shifts corridors from the upper level to the lower level through the loopline built in Alandur Metro station. The looplines were originally built only for taking trains back to the depot. Officials don’t prefer to operate trains along the loopline as they have to slow down the trains.
“We were initially considering to discontinue the direct line after opening the Washermenpet to AG-DMS line. But we understand that there is a demand for the direct service and so we have decided to continue the service,” a metro rail official said.
The original two corridors of phase-1 are from Washermenpet to Airport via Central Metro and Central Metro to St Thomas Mount. But CMRL introduced a direct service from Central Metro to Airport via Nehru Park, Shenoy Nagar, Anna Nagar, Vadapalani and Alandur. A metro train is available every 15 minutes on this line which was launched on popular demand.
If CMRL continues with the direct line, commuters could board a train from Central Metro and reach airport via Poonamallee High Road, Shenoy Nagar, Anna Nagar and Alandur. After the stretch between Washermenpet to AG-DMS becomes operational, commuters can board a train from Central Metro to Airport and travel also via the underground stretch on Anna Salai.
As the direct service via Poonamallee High Road line is a circuitous route, a metro rail official said, “It may take an additional 10 minutes more to reach airport via the Poonamallee High Road line compared to the Anna Salai line.” At present, it takes 50 minutes to reach the airport.
By operating a service from Central to Airport on two different corridors, commuters who are boarding the train from stations anywhere between Egmore Metro and Ekkattuthangal will not have to change corridors.
At present, the direct train operated from Central Metro through the stations on Poonamallee High Road shifts corridors from the upper level to the lower level through the loopline built in Alandur Metro station. The looplines were originally built only for taking trains back to the depot. Officials don’t prefer to operate trains along the loopline as they have to slow down the trains.
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