Chennai, Mar 14 (UNI) Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on Coimbatore and

Madurai Metro Rail Projects have been submitted to the Centre for equity

contribution, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarsu told the State Assembly

on Friday.

Construction work in both the projects will commence after getting the Centre's

nod, he said.

Presenting the Budget for the year 2025-26 in the House, he said Chennai

Metro Rail Phase-II is the largest ongoing metro rail project in the country,

being implemented at a cost of Rs.63,246 crore and a total length of 119 km

across three corridors.

The project is progressing rapidly, and in these routes, the elevated corridor

between Poonamallee and Porur is set to be opened for public use in December

this year.

The Minister said DPRs for the metro rail projects on the Avinashi Road and

Sathyamangalam Road routes in Coimbatore, estimated at Rs.10,740 crore,

and for the Thirumangalam–Othakadai corridor in Madurai, estimated at

Rs.11,368 crore, have been submitted for equity contribution from the Union

Government.

Construction work in both the cities will commence as soon as the approval

is granted.

Additionally, for extending the Chennai Airport metro line to Kalaignar Centenary

Bus Terminus in Kilambakkam, covering 15.46 km at a cost of Rs.9,335 crore;

extending the Koyambedu line to Pattabiram via Avadi, spanning 21.76 km at

a cost of Rs.9,744 crore; and for extending 27.9 km of metro line from

Poonamallee to Sunkuvarchatram via Sriperumpudur at a cost of Rs.8,779 crore,

the DPRs were received and the same will be submitted to the Union

Government for their equity contribution.

Furthermore, detailed project reports will be prepared for the routes between

Tambaram to Velachery via Guindy covering 21 km length and Light house to

High Court covering 6 km length.

Given Tamil Nadu's rapid economic growth and urban expansion, the feasibility

of establishing a ‘Regional Rapid Transit System’ (RRTS) will be explored.

This

initiative follows the model of the Semi High-Speed Railway (SHR) between New

Delhi and Meerut.

The Chennai Metro Rail Corporation will conduct detailed feasibility studies for

setting up an SHR system with a speed of 160 kmph on Chennai–Chengalpattu

–Tindivanam–Villupuram (167 km); Chennai – Kanchipuram – Vellore (140 km);

Coimbatore – Tiruppur – Erode – Salem (185 km).

Furthermore, the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation will conduct feasibility studies

for the establishment of a high-altitude transport system, such as a ropeway, in

Mamallapuram, Udhagamandalam, and Kodaikanal.

He said this initiative aims to enhance tourism while considering the sensitive

micro-environmental ecosystem of these regions.

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