Chennai: Many residents of Mugappair and Padi in Chennai are upset after they came to know about the changes in second phase of Metro Rail project. Already, they had given petitions to the officials concerned to have rail route in the neighbourhood. Now, they request the government to extend the project up to Padi.
S Venkatesan, vice-president, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Walkers Club, Elango Nagar, is raising his voice on behalf of Padi and Mugappair residents to bring Metro Rail to the neighbourhood.
Speaking to News Today, Venkatesan, said, “Even in the second phase of Metro Rail project, the government has neglected Mugappair and its surrounding areas like Collector Nagar, Mugappair East and West, Nolambur and Padi. Also the proposed route between Light House and Koyambedu has been changed and diverted to Poonamallee through Valasaravakkam, instead of Koyambedu.”
“For the welfare of the public living in Collector Nagar, Officers Colony, Anna Nagar Western Extension, Elango Nagar, Mugapair West and East areas, we request the government to extend the Poonamalle rail route upto Padi via Mugapair East and West, Golden Flats, Collector Nagar and Officers Colony by converting the Padi station as three tier station similar to St Thomas Mount (both Metro and suburban electric trains). Top floor can be used for Light House-Poonamallee route, middle for Sholinganallur-Madhavaram route and ground floor for suburban electric trains towards Arakkonam, Gummidipundi and Velacherr. This would become a circular route with access in all directions,” he suggested.
He added: “If I don’t raise my voice now, then I have to wait for next chance in the year 2030. In the first phase, the officials planned to connect, but they changed it in the last minute. They then planned to connect Mugappair in the second phase from Madhavaram to Koyambedu, but it has also been diverted. Now, our request is to extend the Metro Rail from Poonamallee via Thiruverkadu, Vanagaram, Nolambur, Mugappair West and East, Officers Colony, Collector Nagar, Park Road, School Road or North Main Road, Anna Nagar Railway Station and Padi Railway Station. This route will emerge successful and generate revenue, besides serving the public.”
Venkatesan can be contacted: 9444070309.