CHENNAI: Chennai Metro Rail would be extended up to Poonamallee at an estimated expenditure of Rs 3,850 crore, announced Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday. He said a Metro Rail network would be introduced in Coimbatore in view of the increasing traffic congestion in the bustling city in the west.
The Chief Minister was making announcements in the Assembly under Rule 110 for planning, development and special initiatives department.
Palaniswami said considering the increasing traffic congestion on Arcot Road along Virugambakkam and Valasaravakkam, the government has decided to extend the fourth Metro Rail route from Light House to Chennai mofussil bus terminus via Vadapalani, up to Poonamallee via Porur. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) would prepare the supplementary Detailed Project Report.
He also said the detailed feasibility-cum-project report for implementing Metro Rail project in Coimbatore would be prepared by CMRL, and the German government owned bank KfW, through the Central government, would fund the project.
The then chief minister J Jayalalithaa had said in 2013 that the feasibility study for implementing Mono Rail project in Coimbatore would be prepared. An year later, the then transport minister V Senthil Balaji had said selection of consultant for the preparation of feasibility study on introduction of Mono Rail in Coimbatore was under process. But there was no word about that from the government since then.
Palaniswami said a scheme would be devised for improving the standard of life for tribals living in hilly and forest areas in TN under the equity development plan. The scheme would aim at removing the disparities in providing basic amenities to these people, providing road and transport facilities to connect remote villages, which have less population, protecting biodiversity, reviving forest areas which were destroyed earlier, preventing soil erosion, improving water resources and imparting environmental education.