Chennai: Chennai Metro Rail Limited has been carrying out several developments under the Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami-led government.
While carrying out infrastructure development works on the one side, the department never failed to ensure last-mile connectivity for its passengers.
PLATINUM CERTIFIED
In February, 2017, 13 elevated stations of phase one of CMRL received a certification of platinum rating and global leadership recognition from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for adopting green concepts in the design, construction and operation of metro rail. The stations received a total of 72 points out of 90 points.
FIRST UNDERGROUND STRETCH
Palaniswami along with the then Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the seven-km first underground section from Thirumangalam to Nehru Park of CMRL in May 2017. The stretch included seven stations: Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar Tower, Anna Nagar East, Shenoy Nagar, Pachaiyappa’s College, Kilpauk Medical College and Nehru Park. It was the first one in Chennai to have platform screen doors.
NEW PHASE BEGINS
In July, 2017, CMRL began preliminary work for acquiring land for the three-line phase-two of the project. The second phase has three corridors: Madhavaram and Siruseri, CMBT in Koyambedu and Light House and Madhavaram and Sholinganallur.
TUNNELING IN RECORD TIME
CMRL in September, 2017 completed one of the underground tunneling works as part of phase-one extension in North Chennai corridor five months ahead of the schedule. The tunneling work started in February that year and got completed with the break-through of first of the two TBMs (tunnel boring machines).
KEY STRETCH LAUNCHED
Two key metro rail lines from Central to Shenoy Nagar and AG-DMS to Little Mount via Saidapet (beneath Anna Salai) and four stations were launched in May, 2018, providing much-needed connectivity to Chennai Central, the city’s largest transit hub.
FEEDER SERVICES
CMRL introduced cab feeder services in August 2018 in five metro transit hubs and share autos in seven stations. With meager fare of Rs 15 and Rs 10 for the cab and auto respectively, metro rail passengers can now cover over 3 km around the select stations to reach their homes or wherever they want to go.
FINAL TRAIN ROLLED OUT
The final train of CMRL was rolled out in December, 2018 by Consortium of M/s Alstom Transport S A and M/s Alstom Transport India Ltd at their Sri City plant. With this, CMRL also placed order for 10 more trains with the consortium.
LAST LEG
In February, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Palaniswami inaugurated the last leg of the CMRL’s phase one blue line and also gave go-ahead for the construction of underground metro stations. The new routes covers eight stations including AG-DMS, Thousand Lights, LIC, Government Estate, Chennai Central, High Court, Mannadi and Washermenpet. With the inauguration, the Rs 14,600 crore phase one project covering a total of 45 km has been officially completed.