Chennai Metro to construct first 'Metrolite' project of Tamil Nadu

Chennai (Urban Transport News): In a meeting held on last Thursday, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to appoint Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) as Chief Consultant to construct State's first Light Metro Rail 'Metrolite' which will connect Velachery with Tambaram. A feasibility study of the project will commence shortly.

Unlike the Chennai Metro Phase-I project, nearly 15-km long stretch of the light metro rail system 'Metrolite' is planned to construct at grade level. This stretch will connect Velachery with Tambaram. No elevated or underground construction would be made on this stretch. Explaining the plan, an official who is well aware with the project, said:

Similar to phase I, phase I extension projects, the feasibility study too will be given to a private firm. This will begin in a few weeks and is likely to take about 6-8 months. The study will look at various route options for the stretch. After that, there will be discussions on which route works out to be the best after which the detailed project report will be prepared.

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is also planning to connect the light metro rail system 'Metrolite' with Pallikaranai, Medavakkam, Gowrivakkam and then subsequently East Tambaram so that the dense residential areas in the southern parts of the city may get good public transport connectivity. According to the plan, the light rail system 'Metrolite' would be linked with Chennai Metro Rail Network at Velachery, so that commuters who may want to switch systems and head to areas connected by this network, may be able to do so at ease.

One of the main reasons for choosing 'Metrolite' over the Metro Rail system, is that it would cost much less such as building one km of an elevated stretch of Metro will cost Rs 200-250 crore and underground Rs 500-550 crore. But 'Metrolite' may be built with Rs 100 crore per km. Another benefit of Metrolite is that it can take sharp turns and travel through dense and narrow stretches, unlike the Metro. Like the Chennai Metro Rail Project, the Central Government and Tamil Nadu government may provide equal funding support for the project.