For Chennai metro rail phase-2, JICA sanctions huge amount
Posted on: 22/Dec/2018 10:23:17 AM
The latest news is to start phase-2 works of the Chennai metro, JICA or Japan International Cooperation Agency has sanctioned a huge amount of Rs 4760.67 crores. This is now regarded as the major fillip to the metro rail network of Chennai city. This amount would soon be used be to kick start 107.55 km phase-2 project having as many as 116 stations. The important piece of information is an agreement was signed between Mr. Mohapatra, additional secretary, department of economic affairs, ministry of finance and Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto who is chief JICA representative.
The release from the ministry of finance stated that the Chennai metro phase-2 project aims to meet growing traffic demand by building mass rapid transit system to reduce worsening road traffic and traffic pollution. By this a balanced regional development plus enhancement of environment condition in the CMA or Chennai Metropolitan Area would be achieved.
As per the officials, phase-2 works estimated to cost Rs 85,047 crores was cut by nearly Rs 11,300 crores after a revised DPR or detailed project report was prepared. The centre would be sharing a part of the cost as the centre is yet to officially accord sanction. JICA has been making its presence felt since the year 2008 as it has funded Rs 11000 crores in loans for developing around 52.4km of metro rail network of 45 km of phase-1 and a 9 km extension. All the 4 corners of Chennai city would be linked to the core area by means of phase-2 with 116 stations across corridors.
It must be taken into account that the corridors include the stretch from Madhavaram to SIPCOT in Siruseri via Mylapore over 46.1km, from CMBT to Light House over 17.1km and from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur via St. Thomas Mount over 45.2 km. For extending the CMBT- LightHouse section to Poonamallee, a separate DPR has been prepared. The construction of a priority corridor would be carried out by the CMRL or Chennai Metro Rail Limited and this is a 52.01km stretch from CMBT to Sholinganallur and it would have as many as 57 stations across the Madhavaram- Sholinganallur and Madhavaram- Siruseri sections. It must be noted that the soil tests have been conducted by CMRL for this purpose.
An official from CMRL expressed his views and spoke about how wherever possible the underground stations were converted to elevated stations and how the size of the stations has been trimmed down. By this cutting down on the costs plus time of construction would be possible. He hinted about the detailed design process that is underway and said the finer details would be ready in this detailed design process. It is said that the priority stations would have 15 to 20 elevated stations and was decided to be changed based on the availability of land and space. To bring down the cost many measures were taken and it included acquiring government lands where ever possible from the owners.
The officials finally threw light on the land that is required and said around 30,000 sq m of land would be needed for phase-2. This is one-third of 90000 sq m of land that acquired for phase-1 of 45 km. In phase-1, the size of the stations was 220 metres is known. It is now brought out that in phase-2 the size of the stations would be around 150 metres.
