The Chennai Metro Rail project Phase-II has been approved by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The proposal for the same was presented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. This massive infrastructure boost for Chennai will involve the construction of three new metro corridors, it will spread over a total of 118.9 kilometers and will include 128 stations in total. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 63,246 crore and is expected to be completed by 2027.
Key corridors of Chennai Metro Phase II
Under Chennai Metro Phase II construction there will be three main corridors:
Corridor I will start from Madhavaram and cover till SIPCOT, the distance that will be covered between these two stations will be 55.8 kilometers and will consist of 50 stations.
Corridor II will be laid out from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass, extending a stretch of 26. Kilometers and will include 50 stations.
Corridor III will start from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur, the route will span 47 kilometers and will consist of 48 stations.
Connectivity will boost all over Chennai
This project will give a massive boost to Chennai’s urban mobility. The new corridors will help in connecting major places like Adyar, Kodambakkam, SIPCOT, Madhavaram, and Sholinganallur. It will also become a linking point by connecting commercial areas and industrial areas. The city’s ever-expanding workforce will also be able to benefit from the Sholinganallar corridor as it will enhance the IT corridor of southern Chennai.
Easing out traffic, lessening of congestion along with environmental benefits
The launch of the new metro network will help in easing out the traffic in some of the busiest areas of Chennai. Commuters will be able to enjoy shorter routes of travel which will improve road safety. In terms of environmental sustainability, the dependency on traditional fossil fuel-based vehicles will be reduced resulting in lower carbon emissions. The growth plan will also impact economic growth, and job creation in the fields of administration, operation, and construction. The less developed areas near the metro stations will also get an opportunity to expand their business.