West Chennai on Fast Track: Rs 9,900-Crore Metro Project Receives Go-Ahead

The government of Tamil Nadu has given in-principle approval for the ambitious Koyambedu-Pattabiram metro corridor, a 21.76-kilometre route planned to greatly improve public transport in western Chennai. Estimated to cost Rs 9,928 crore, the corridor will have 19 elevated stations and three integrated flyovers, enhancing connectivity to major localities like Ambattur Estate, Dunlop, Thirumullaivoyal, Avadi, Hindu College, and Pattabiram.

 

The project, as per a comprehensive report presented by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), extends the corridor from Avadi to Pattabiram, connecting key hubs such as the Outer Ring Road and the ELCOT complex. The Rs 464-crore highways component will enable smooth integration with the city traffic network through the new flyovers.

 

Financing of the corridor would be through a combination of central government equity funding and external lending from bilateral and multilateral bodies. The project's Detailed Project Report has already been sent to the Centre for final clearance and financial tie-ups by the state government. The expansion will facilitate regional connectivity as well as further accelerate the western suburbs' rapid growth of Chennai.

 

Source: Times of India