Work To Start On The Phase-2 Route Of Chennai Metro By Mid-2020

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has declared to start work on the Chennai Metro’s Phase-2 route by mid-2020 with the aim to develop smoother connectivity between the major regions of the city. The total work is to be done on 118.9 kms for the phase-2 metro route. Out of this, construction on 66.8km of the stretch is most probably commence by 2020, while work on priority corridor of 52.01 km will begin by the end of this year itself. The Metro officials are already in touch with international funding agencies to fulfill financial needs.
As per a senior official of CMRL, we have already started with soil testing in all the areas which drops on the route. The localities include T Nagar, Poonamallee and Lighthouse.
The official added that the soil testing task will be done by the end of this year. In June this year, Construction tenders for 52.01 km priority stretch will be floated. For this corridor, the metro rail corporation has already signed an agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to fulfill the funding requirements in December 2018. JICA has given a consent to give Rs 20,196 crore which is around half of the total sanctioned amount that is Rs 40,941 crore. The first lot of Rs. 4760 has already been paid out by the JICA. This route consists of 57 stations from CMBT to Madhavaram and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur.
The rest of 66.8 km stretch whose work will start by mid-2020 consists of 71 stations which will connect major localities like Siruseri Sipcot, Sholinganallur, OMR, Lighthouse, Poonamallee, etc. The estimated cost of construction of this stretch is Rs 28000 crore and the funding will be fulfilled by major international financial agencies, state and central government. The 118.9 km long Chennai Metro Phase-2 will have a total of 128 stations which is going to connect some of the poorest connected areas of the city.
The approximate cost of the project is Rs 69,000 crore.