Chennai: The construction work on the underground Chennai Metro Rail in Anna Salai, between AG-DMS and Saidapet stations entailing an investment worth Rs. 640 crore has been started by the Larsen & Toubro, which has secured the contract for the metro stretch recently, said sources, adding that the construction of the stations between the AG-DMS and Saidapet after Chennai Metro Rail project was awarded. As of now, workers are in the process of dewatering the Saidapet station and the tunnel as they got flooded due to heavy rains recently. The process may be completed soon but to complete the project may take about two years. Afcons Infrastructure Limited took up the tunneling work on this stretch in September, but work has not commenced in the other stretch from Government Estate to AG-DMS and the CMRL has decided to call for fresh tenders.
In order to build the world-class metro network in the region, the state government in Tamil Nadu has initiated the process of starting the initial work on the Rs.42,000 crore metro rail networks. In the project in question, the cost of underground stretch has been worked out at Rs.32,000 crore and Rs.10,000 crore for the elevated stretch, said sources claiming that the feasibility report, 32 km of the third corridor would be ready by the end of 2021and that the remaining portions of the third corridor besides other two corridors are expected to be completed by 2026.
It may be recalled that currently, RITES is preparing a DPR which would approximately cover 88 km. The three corridors include Madhavaram to Siruseri (41km), Nerkundram to Light House (14km) and Madhavaram to Perumbakkam (33km). Of the 88 km plus stretch under the second phase, 54 km would be underground while the rest would be elevated. The third corridor starts from Madhavaram at the northern end and runs up to Siruseri in the southern belt for a length of 40.2 km. It connects important centers like Moolakadai, Perambur, Purasawalkam, Kilpauk Medical College (KMC), Anna Flyover, LUZ, Adyar, Thiruvamiyur, Perungudi, Karappakam, Sholinganallur, and Navallur. The feasibility report has identified the 19.3 km stretch between Madhavaram to Adyar as underground stretch while 20.9km stretch between Adyar to Siruseri would be elevated.
