Rs 2,000 crore for Chennai Metro phase-2
U Tejonmayam | TNN | Feb 9, 2019, 23:24 IST
Image used for representational purpose onlyCHENNAI: With the allocation of Rs 2,681 crore for 2019-20, the state government has given its nod to commence work for the 118-km phase-2 of metro rail project that will connect the suburban areas to the city centre.
“The state government has also given an administrative sanction for a total cost of Rs 40,941 crore. A sum of Rs 2,681 crore has been allocated for the Chennai Metro Rail Project as share capitals and debt,” said deputy chief minister and finance minister O Panneerselvam, in his budget speech.
He said, JICA has approved Rs 20,196 crore to build the priority corridor of 52.01km from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur, and Madhavaram to CMBT.
The announcement came at a time, when the ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, said the state government has not submitted proposal seeking funds from the Centre for construction. CMRL has already started with soil test and detailed design for the priority corridor. “Calling of tenders for the construction will begin by mid-2019, and construction is likely to begin this year,” a metro rail official said.
The funding arrangements for other stretches are also in progress. “By implementing the Phase-II of Chennai Metro Rail Project, the metro rail network in the Chennai metropolitan area would increase to 172.91km, which would increase its share of public transport considerably,” he said.
CMRL recently said that talks are underway with four international banks to fund the construction of the remaining portion — CMBT - Sholinganallur, Sholinganallur - Siruseri SIPCOT, and Lighthouse - Poonamallee — covering 66.8km.
The Phase-I of the project, covering two corridors stretching 45.01km, will be fully commissioned in February 2019. The Phase-I extension covering a length of 9km upto Tiruvottriyur is expected to be commissioned by June 2020, Panneerselvam said.
“During 2018-19, an amount of Rs 1,950 crore was allocated for the project. As announced, feasibility study is also being taken up for the extension of metro rail line from Meenambakkam Airport to Kilambakkam metro bus terminus,” he added.
“The state government has also given an administrative sanction for a total cost of Rs 40,941 crore. A sum of Rs 2,681 crore has been allocated for the Chennai Metro Rail Project as share capitals and debt,” said deputy chief minister and finance minister O Panneerselvam, in his budget speech.
He said, JICA has approved Rs 20,196 crore to build the priority corridor of 52.01km from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur, and Madhavaram to CMBT.
The announcement came at a time, when the ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, said the state government has not submitted proposal seeking funds from the Centre for construction. CMRL has already started with soil test and detailed design for the priority corridor. “Calling of tenders for the construction will begin by mid-2019, and construction is likely to begin this year,” a metro rail official said.
The funding arrangements for other stretches are also in progress. “By implementing the Phase-II of Chennai Metro Rail Project, the metro rail network in the Chennai metropolitan area would increase to 172.91km, which would increase its share of public transport considerably,” he said.
CMRL recently said that talks are underway with four international banks to fund the construction of the remaining portion — CMBT - Sholinganallur, Sholinganallur - Siruseri SIPCOT, and Lighthouse - Poonamallee — covering 66.8km.
The Phase-I of the project, covering two corridors stretching 45.01km, will be fully commissioned in February 2019. The Phase-I extension covering a length of 9km upto Tiruvottriyur is expected to be commissioned by June 2020, Panneerselvam said.
“During 2018-19, an amount of Rs 1,950 crore was allocated for the project. As announced, feasibility study is also being taken up for the extension of metro rail line from Meenambakkam Airport to Kilambakkam metro bus terminus,” he added.
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