MANILA, PHILIPPINES (Metro Rail News): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $780 million multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) to build new lines and improve the connectivity of the metro rail system at Chennai, the capital of India’s Tamil Nadu state, with the city’s existing bus and feeder services.
“This project will expand Chennai’s metro rail system to provide a safe and integrated transport solution essential in improving urban mobility and make the city more livable,” said ADB Senior Transport Specialist for South Asia Andri Heriawan. “By fostering a shift to less greenhouse-gas-emitting metro systems, it will also benefit climate change mitigation and, through appropriate design elements, improve resilience to climate change.”
The project will construct 10.1 kilometres (km) of the elevated section between Sholinganallur to State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu-2, including nine metro stations and system components; 10 km of the underground section between Lighthouse and Meenakshi College, including nine stations; and 31 km of system components, such as electrical, mechanical, power, and telecommunication infrastructure, between Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus to Okkiyam Thoraipakkam. The stations will incorporate disaster- and climate-resilient features and will be responsive to the needs of the elderly, women, children, differently abled, and transgender people.
Multimodal interchanges and facilities will be established along metro rail corridors to improve commuters’ experience, such as drop-off and pick-up areas, sheltered waiting areas, bicycle facilities, and passenger information.
ADB will provide an additional $1 million technical assistance (TA) grant to help the Chennai Metro Rail Limited plan and manage the metro system’s multimodal integration. The TA will support identifying first- and last-mile connectivity needs and explore opportunities for transit-oriented development to increase revenues through land value capture.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
