Chennai: Residents of Madipakkam are a happy lot as the much expected MRTS line construction works on at Vanuvampet are nearing completion.
Further, bringing in more good news was the announcement from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) about the construction of a circular corridor to link areas around the city.
It means residents who take a bus from Puzhuthivakkam bus terminus to CMBT and another one from there to reach Madhavaram or Perambur, will never have to take the circuitous route after 2025, as there will be an integrated CMRL line by then, that will take three hours roughly for a passenger to travel around the city.
In the announcement that came last week, the CMRL has mentioned that it has planned to construct two other corridors named – corridor 3 and corridor 5, linking four corners of the city – Madhavaram, SIPCOT (Navalur), Poonamallee bypass and Lighthouse through Madipakkam, Kovilambakkam and other neighbourhood areas.
Sources from CMRL said, “Corridor 3 will have the shuttle between Madhavaram and Sholinganallur through Mylapore and Adyar and corridor 5 between Madhavaram and Sholinganallur through Alandur, Madipakkam and Porur. The circular corridor, which the department is planning links corridor 3 with corridor 5. This plan is expected to commence by mid-2020 and is expected to be completed by 2025.”
On other hand, Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) line works that are on at Vanuvampet junction is nearing completion as the station installed there recently saw rooftop installed and painting works done.
A few pillars are yet to be linked upon which the work will be done. Regarding that, an MRTS official said, “The works have been delayed due to issues in land acquisition, rains in the neighbourhood, etc. Now, it is almost done and soon it will open for public usage.”
Although the two railway lines are expected to complete soon, residents of the area have suggested that the Railways should have an integrated system that connects MRTS and CMRL stations.
Taking St Thomas Mount suburban railway station as an example, they said, “The St Thomas Mount station is functioning with the integration of metro station and suburban station. This reduces the cost and time involved to reach the other railway system. Also, we want the authorities to look up the possibility to link railway networks altogether. It means we need one common ticketing system that is affordable.”
Speaking to News Today, director of Traffic and Transport Forum, Subramani said, “I can assure there will be no shortage with the facilities the CMRL offers. But not many can afford the services. MRTS provides the same connectivity that CMRL is offering. Since it is more affordable and feasible, people are using it though there are shortcomings in the system. We want authorities to work on amenities and reducing fare rates. When everything meets up, I am sure the new phase will make Chennai transportation hassle-free.”
Shankar, a commuter said, “The project that CMRL has come up with is appreciable. I am working as a project engineer at Moolakadai. Every day, I have to catch a bus from Puzhuthivakkam to CMBT and then take another bus from there to Moolakadai. I have to there at 10 and for that, I start by 8 am. If reaching on time is an issue, shifting buses in another issue. CMRL’s new plan is a good idea as it saves time. But, I want authorities concerned to consider prices as mostly CMRL charges are hefty around the city.”