CHENNAI: LAYING the foundation for the Phase I Extension of Metro Rail Project in the presence of Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said the works will be completed within three years and would benefit the people of North Chennai.
The Chief Minister also urged the Centre to give nod for Phase II of the extension, for which proposals would be sent soon.
Speaking on the occasion, she said the Phase I extension would have eight stations and of them, Sir Thiyagaraya College, Korukkupet, Tondiarpet and Tollgate stations would fall within her RK Nagar constituency.
Metro Rail service had been provided between Koyambedu and Alandur since June 29, last year. The services on the route between Little Mount and Airport would begin in August while that between Alandur and St Thomas Mount in October. Service in the stretch between Koyambedu and Nehru Park would commence by the year end. In the rest of the route, all works would be completed by 2017.
Jayalalithaa also said since the 45.1 km Metro Rail routes would not suffice future requirements, her government had decided to execute three more routes during the Phase II of extension of Metro Rail project. The Detailed Project Report for two routes starting from Madhavaram are under preparation. The proposal for these routes would be sent for the approval of Central government very soon.
The MoU signed for the Metro Rail Project between Centre, State and Chennai Metro Rail Project Limited have many clauses which stood against the interests of Tamil Nadu, the CM recalled that she had already represented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to change these clauses. She also renewed her demand using the occasion.
The Chief Minister pointed out that till the previous DMK regime was in power, only three per cent of the works on Metro Rail Project were completed. After her government assumed office, 98 per cent of works have been completed for elevated routes and metro stations while 65 per cent of works have been completed for underground routes and their metro stations.
She also recalled that on the first phase of Rs 14,600 crore project, the DMK regime had spent only Rs 1,143 crore. From June 2011 till June this year, Rs 11,596 crore has been spent on this project by allocating funds in time.
The feasibility study for the Metro Rail project was undertaken during the previous AIADMK regime in 2003 and two routes were selected.
“Through these steps, my government at that time had laid the basis for the Metro Rail Project,” she added.