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Metro gets linked with planned Monorail
Posted on: 18/Feb/2019 5:01:48 PM
So far, it is uncertain whether the pet project of TN’s former Chief Minister J Jayalalitha - the monorail will come to reality. However, in localities including Iyyapanthangal, Poonamallee and Porur fall under the planned system. These are to get linked with the 118.9 km second phase of the CMRL.
In his note about this, the CMRL Managing Director – Pankaj Kumar Bansal said there is heavy traffic flow plying between Porur and Poonamallee. This could only be handled by metro rail and not monorail. The 4th corridor is planned between CMBT and Light House. This is likely to get extended till Poonamally and the last stretch will be connected till 30 stations at about 26.1 km. The phase-2 of 118.9 km will be structured at a cost of Rs 69,000 crore and this will have corridors 3, 4 and 5.
Bansal added that the comprehensive traffic data was submitted to the state government. Compared to monorail, the metro rail system will be compatible, it says. The corridor 4 is revised after getting approval by the government. Soon construction works may begin, and the necessary talks are going on with international banks for funding of the project.
Since 2012, monorail connectivity between Kathipara and Poonamallee to link Porur, Iyyapanthangal, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, SRMC Hospital, and Karayancavadi are to be connected in an alignment of ‘Y’ shape. This is inclusive of the arm connecting Porur and Vadapalani, and Vandalur to Velachery. In the metro phase-1, Kathipara and Alandur are to be connected and the remaining is to be connected in the second phase.
Once the government approves, furthermore details of the project report pertaining to corridor 4 shall be held which covers Vadapalani and Light House, abiding by the original plan. The changed route starting from Vadapalani is to get connected with Porur to Poonamallee.
As far as the Corridor 5 is concerned, it will get amended to also encompass CMBT and Kaliamman Kovil Street both of which are weeded out from Corridor 4. Stations will be set up at Valasaravakkam, Karabakkam, Alapakkam Junction, Alwarthirunagar and Porur junction.
Initially, the Corridor 4 was to be made as underground one, but it is now altered to be an elevated one. According to officials, the stretch between Light House and Meenakshi College, Kodambakkam shall be made underground. Starting from Meenakshi College until Poonamallee, it will be elevated ones. The stations are changed as elevated ones as we have enough space availability, say officials.
At an overall cost of Rs 6,402 crore, the government has proposed a 42 km corridor of monorail. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation shall carry out the same. However, necessary works are yet to begin. According to experts, the city needs a mix of both monorail and metro rail for seamless public transportation system.
