Govt of India approves ₹61,843 crore Chennai Metro Phase 2

Chennai, India (Urban Transport News): The central government cabinet has given its nod to Rs 61,843 crore ambitius Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase 2 of Tamilnadu Government on August 17, 2021. This information was shared by Chief Minister M K Stalin in the Assembly on Wednesday. "We received the information yesterday (August 17) that the Union government has given its approval for the phase II project,” he said in the Assembly.

Stalin said that in his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, he insisted on the project and based on the pressure he mounted, the Centre has given their approval for the project.

Talking about the Coimbatore Metro Rail project, Stalin said that his government would mount pressure on the Union government in connection with the project. “There is no need to worry. Not just Coimbatore but for Madurai too, where we have announced a project. Wherever the projects are announced, they will be implemented definitely,” Stalin said.

In the 118.9 km phase 2 of Chennai Metro Rail Project, the priority has been given to the stretch between Poonamallee and Power House and hence, the construction began a few weeks back. It is likely to be complete in four years, if the contractor meets the deadlines.

Simultaneously, two contracts for the underground stretch from Madhavaram to Taramani have been awarded to Tata Projects and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for building stations and tunnels. Barricades have been put up in many parts of the city and topography studies are under way to assess the nature of the soil before excavation and tunnelling begin.

The diaphragm wall construction for the underground station will start by November. The machinery will arrive at the sites by the end of next month. After assembling, we plan to start construction in full swing in November. But we will be able to do the tunnelling work only by early next year.

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is also working on to finalise other contractors.