CHENNAI (Metro Rail News): CMRL (Chennai Metro Rail Limited) is considering a three-car low-capacity metro rail system instead of an elevated metro line or light rail transit (LRT) system. DPR for LRT system was prepared by CMRL and is now being modified by CMRL itself.
According to officials, there are no Indian firms to manufacture LRT trains, and importing them can be costly. Furthermore, while the construction cost of an LRT system is 20% less than a regular metro system, the lack of manufacturers for LRT trains could increase project costs.
The decision to modify the plan came after the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs advised the CMRL to go for the low-capacity metro rail system. The DPR is currently undergoing design modifications and is expected to be ready in three months.
During the budget speech, the finance minister of the state announced the implementation of a metro rail project in Coimbatore, a fast-growing tier-II city in India that is home to numerous economic activities like textiles, technology, and medical facilities. The decision was taken considering the future growth potential of the city.
Once completed, the Coimbatore metro system is expected to reduce road traffic and provide a boon to students, with at least 25 schools and colleges located along a 10km stretch of Avinashi Road. In addition, CMRL plans to present the DPRs of both Coimbatore and Madurai metro to the government of India in June.
