CHENNAI: Taking a fresh look at the plans for phase 2, the Chennai Metro Rail is considering extending it so that the corridor from Madhavaram, that currently ends at the Lighthouse, could be extended up to Siruseri. This is to cater to the substantial number of IT employees who live in apartment complexes along the route. Sources added that plans are on to integrate it with Thiruvanmiyur MRTS station. Besides this, there are also plans to rework the other two corridors as well, highly placed sources told City Express.
The second phase consisting of three corridors was to add 76 kms to the metro rail network. But now officials are contemplating extending it to 88 km, said sources.
The major change is for the third corridor from Madhavaram to Lighthouse, a stretch of 17 kms. Initially, the corridor was to begin from Madhavaram and proceed via Perambur, Ayanavaram, Purasaiwalkam, Nungambakkam High road, Gemini, Radhakrishnan Salai and Luz to end at Lighthouse.
Now the idea that is mooted is to extend it all the way to Siruseri along the Old Mahabalipuram Road. If this is approved and finalised, it would be the longest corridor of Chennai Metro. This is not easy though. The alignment is likely to cross the Adyar river and creek, and would hence require Coastal Regulation Zone clearance. Also, officials are considering various alignments, as there are large heritage structure on the Santhome High Road.
Top officials are looking at both elevated and underground options for undertaking the work. Among the details under discussion is whether to have the elevated stretch from Adyar to Siruseri or from Thiruvanmiyur to Siruseri. However, Metro Rail sources said that it is too early to come to conclusion, as the precise proportion of elevated and underground sections, particularly along Old Mahabalipuram Road, would be considered while preparing the Detailed Project report.
New Proposed Alignment
Total length: 88km
Approx Cost: Rs 45,000 crore
Corridor III: Madhavaram to Siruseri (41km)
Corridor IV: Koyambedu to Light House (14km)
Corridor V: Madhavaram to
Perumbakkam (33km)
Original Plans
Corridor III – Madhavaram - Perambur – Ayanavaram – Purasaiwalkam – Nungambakkam High Road – Gemini - Radhakrishnan Salai - Luz - Lighthouse (17 Km)
Corridor IV – Koyambedu – Saligramam – Vadapalani – Kodambakkam - Panagal Park – Nandanam - Luz – Mandeveli – Adyar - Besant Nagar - Tiruvanmiyur – Kottivakkam - Injambakkam (27 Km)
Corridor V – Madhavaram – Kolathur – Villivakkam - Anna Nagar west – Mogappair – Maduravoyal – Valsarawakkam - Trade centre – OTA -Adambakkam – Madipakkam – Kilkattalai - Medavakkam – Perumbakkam (32 Km)
The other two corridors in this phase will also undergo changes. Sources said that the proposed 27 km fourth corridor from Koyambedu via Saligramam to Injambakkam could be reduced to 14 km. This corridor goes via T Nagar catering to the huge crowd that frequents this retail hub of Chennai. To ensure optimal inter-modal integration, the proposed 33-km long fifth corridor linking Madhavaram with Perumbakkam via Kolathur, Villivakkam, Anna Nagar West, Mogappair, Maduravoyal, Valsarawakkam, Trade Centre and OTA is also likely to change. It is learnt that the alignment may cover Alandur and St Thomas Mount instead of OTA.
There are suggestions to take the all three corridors underground, said sources. At Rs 500 crore per kilometre, it would cost a whopping Rs 45,000 crore.
On the flip side, this would mean less land acquisition, therefore fewer legal issues and thus speedier completion of the project.