Chennai: The government of Tamil Nadu has urged the management of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to streamline its work in the city and complete it as soon as possible, and thus ensure that commuting is easy for the public.
The Minister of State Industries, M. C. Sampath, asked the managing director of CMRL, Pankaj Kumar Bansal, to complete the works from Nehru Park to Central and from Saidapet to AG-DMS shortly. The minister, who recently visited the underground sites of the CMRL and inspected the work, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the work and wanted the passenger services on the routes to begin soon.
The stations between AG-DMK and Saidapet are receiving final touches particularly at the point of entry or exit, said the official.
CMRL is planning to start the test on the Anna Salai line this week, the sources said.
It is likely that the Metro Rail Safety commissioner will be invited for inspection in March.
Currently, Chennai Metro Rail Limited is operating services on two routes in the city: Nehru Park to the airport and Little Mount to the airport. The first test between Nehru Park and Central Chennai covering a distance of 2.7 km was carried out on January 26. The first train was canceled in 2015 by then chief Minister J. Jayalaltihaa.
According to sources, Chennai Metro Rail Limited is likely to sign a loan agreement with JICA for the phase II project and the sum is likely to be greater than the financing of the first project.
JICA had financed the phase I project for approximately Rs 14,600 crore. It is likely that the CMRL will sign an agreement with JICA once the Center agrees.